PAK vs ENG 2024/25, PAK vs ENG 1st Test Match Report, October 07 – 11, 2024

Lunch Pakistan 397 in 6 (Shakeel 67*, Salman 0*) vs In England

Naseem, who resumed his role as wicket-keeper on the night, made his highest score of any form of the game – 33 from 81 balls – and contained a persistent England attack over 90 minutes. His efforts, which included hitting three sixes during a stand of 64 alongside Shakeel, ensured there would be no quick way back into the game for the visitors, after centuries by Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique set the tone on day one.

England were boosted after a torrid first day by picking up three wickets in the final session, including Babar Azam’s with the second new ball. That ball was only five overs away when play resumed, with Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson looking to test Naseem’s off-stump technique.

Naseem was hit several times early on but held his own. His first boundary came with a controlled steer wide of the cordon and when he was pulled to set up a single from Atkinson, the lack of pace on the pitch meant that it hit slowly at second slip.

With Shakeel moving towards his half-century and Naseem settling into his unfamiliar role, England went with spin from one end and short-ball tactics from the other. Naseem was hit on the back of the helmet by Atkinson, but far from scaring the audience on the night it only encouraged a wider approach, as he leaped to deliver Shoaib Bashir at long-on. Shakeel went to 50 – his fifth against England in four Tests – off the same over.

Naseem, emboldened, quickly passed his previous Test score of 18, before slotting Jack Leach twice over the ropes – the second a brilliant inside-out shot over extra cover. The stand went past 50 and Naseem was taking out his senior partner when he was eventually beaten in an attack on Carse’s wicket, which ended up in the hands of a leg slip.