Shan Masood joins elite list with century in first England Test

Pakistan opener Shan Masood became the sixth Pakistan Test cricketer to score three centuries in successive innings, during the first Test against England in Manchester.

Masood followed up his 135, against Sri Lanka in Karachi, and 100 versus Bangaldesh in Rawalpindi with a ton against England on the second day of the opening Test.

Before Masood, Asian Bradman Zaheer Abbas, against India in 1982-83, Mudassar Nazar, against India in 1983, Mohammad Yousaf, against West Indies in 2006, Younis Khan, against Australia in 2014 and Misbahul Haq, against Australia and New Zealand in 2014, have also achieved the same milestone.

Masood's hundred was also the first by a Pakistani opener in England since former opener Saeed Anwar in 1996.

Also, Masood is just the second player to score three successive Test centuries against three different teams, after India’s Vinod Kambli.

Pakistan resumed their first innings at 139/2 on the second day but were quickly pegged back by England, with the wickets of Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Rizwan in the first session.

This meant that the visitors found themselves in a tight spot but Masood’s hundred ensured that they did not completely fade away.

Very pleased for Shan Masood, a man who has fought hard for his opportunity! 💯 #ENGvPAK

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 6, 2020

As shown in this @CricViz graphic, one way that Shan Masood has improved his performance has been by leaving the ball much more. In 2016, he left just 3% of the balls bowled to him in the channel; this Test, that's risen to 20%. #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/zxBjKNWH8B

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) August 6, 2020

Just love the organizational skills of Shan Masood this innings. Great judgment in playing adequately forward or back to the length.

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) August 6, 2020