Day 1 of 1st Test: Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan's fifties help Pakistan recover after Seales' triple strike against WI

New Delhi: Pakistan's Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan showcased a brilliant display of batting as they both scored unbeaten half-centuries to guide Pakistan to a total of 143-4 on the first day of the opening Test match in Multan. Despite a shaky start and losing crucial wickets early on, Shakeel and Rizwan's partnership helped Pakistan recover from a precarious position of 46-4, after Jayden Seales impressive three-wicket spell had put them on the back foot. Captain Shan Masood's decision to bat first initially looked doubtful, but Shakeel and Rizwan's resilience turned the tide in Pakistan's favor.

Shakeel (56) and Rizwan (51) steadied Pakistan’s innings with an unbeaten 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket before bad light halted play. West Indies started with Gudakesh Motie’s left-arm spin, which found considerable turn on the opening-day pitch, but it was Seales who made an early impact on Pakistan’s top order. Opener Muhammad Hurraira scored just six before being caught by West Indies wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach, who was also making his Test debut in the match.

Kamran Ghulam (5) was dismissed lbw after failing to play a shot to an incoming delivery from Seales, who later claimed the wicket of Babar, caught behind. Following an extended discussion with Saud, Babar, who had scored eight, chose to review the decision. However, replays showed he had edged the ball, leading to Pakistan losing their review.

“We need to continue bowling the good balls,” Seales told broadcasters after the day’s play.

“As spinners or as fast bowlers, there’s always something in the pitch for us. It’s a matter of just bowling our good balls for as long as possible.

“I think 250-odd is probably a good score on this pitch.”