Saud Shakeel narrowly missed out on a century, but Salman Agha’s aggressive 79 not out propelled Pakistan to a strong position of 515 for eight at tea on the second day of the match on Tuesday.
During the second session, Pakistan lost Saud and Aamer Jamal, but Salman’s explosive innings featured two sixes and ten fours, helping the team surpass the 500-run mark. Shaheen Afridi supported him with a score of 13.
England struggled on Monday and continued to face challenges when play resumed, with Naseem Shah, a key player in Pakistan’s new-ball attack, also showcasing his batting skills.
Naseem hit three sixes in his career-best score of 33, preventing England from making a breakthrough in the first hour, despite taking hits to his helmet and bowling hand.
He formed a 64-run partnership with Saud before being dismissed, edging a delivery from Brydon Carse to Harry Brook at leg slip, giving the debutant seamer his first Test wicket.
Mohammad Rizwan was the next to bat but fell for a duck after just 12 balls, getting caught out by Chris Woakes off a delivery from Jack Leach. Saud (82) was on track for a century but was caught in the slips off Shoaib Bashir.
Thanks to Salman’s aggressive batting, Pakistan added 118 runs in 26 overs during this session, solidifying their advantage in the match.
England has already used two of their three reviews during the innings, with Ollie Pope holding a disappointing review record of 0-13 as captain.
Saud was aiming to become the third Pakistani batsman to score a hundred in this opening Test against England, as the team reached 397 for six at lunch.
Naseem performed well as a nightwatchman, scoring a career-best 33 and partnering with Saud, who was on 67 at the break, while Salman had yet to get off the mark on a batting-friendly pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium.
England’s bowlers toiled for little reward on Monday, and this continued when play resumed, with Naseem proving he could also contribute with the bat.
His 82-ball effort came to an end when he edged a delivery from Brydon Carse to Harry Brook at leg slip, marking the debutant seamer’s first Test wicket.
After him, Mohammad Rizwan fell for a duck, getting caught by Chris Woakes off Jack Leach’s bowling. Throughout his innings, Saud displayed control, hitting eight fours in his impressive knock.
