Pakistan vs West Indies: Pakistan Overcome Early West Indies Threat to End Day 1
The first Test of the West Indies tour of Pakistan began with a rain delay in Multan. This series marks the West Indies' first tour of Pakistan since 2006. The rain delay extended for too long, resulting in the loss of the first session. After the break, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first on the well-balanced Multan surface.
However, the start was abysmal for the home team as they lost four wickets for just 38 runs. Babar Azam was dismissed for yet another single-digit score at home, and the top order, including captain Shan Masood, also failed to reach double digits. Fortunately, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan both scored half-centuries, which helped save the day for Pakistan as the stumps were called.
Pakistan Survive Day 1
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first, as the pitch looked favorable for batting. Both teams selected three spinners in their squads, considering that the Multan surface tends to turn after Day 3 of play. Openers Shan Masood and debutant Muhammed Hurraira took to the field, but their partnership didn’t last long. Hurraira was the first to be dismissed, falling to Jayden Seales.
The wicket spree continued as Pakistan's in-form batters — Shan Masood, Kamran Ghulam, and Babar Azam — all lost their wickets in a single session, leaving Pakistan struggling at 38/4 at one stage. Jayden Seales excelled with the new ball, claiming three wickets and putting West Indies in a strong position by the end of Day 1.
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Middle Order Saved the Day
With Pakistan in dire trouble, the duo of Saud Shakeel and Mohammed Rizwan steadied the innings with a slow but steady approach. Their defensive play contrasted sharply with the top order’s failure to handle the new ball. As time passed, Mohammed Rizwan began to accelerate the scoring with some boundaries, reaching his half-century. Saud Shakeel soon joined him, and together they formed a crucial partnership, notching up a 100-run stand that rescued the team from collapse. Although West Indies bowled well during the second session, they lost their focus in the final session, allowing Pakistan to capitalize on their lapses and end the day in a better position.
At the end of Day 1 Pakistan were 143/4 Saud Shakeel 56(100), Mohammed Rizwan 51(80) West Indies: Jayden Seales 3/21
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