• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Imam Masood Trouble South Africa On Day 1 As Rizwan Salman Extend Pakistans Dominance

Imam, Masood trouble South Africa on Day 1 as Rizwan, Salman extend Pakistan's dominance

Arnav Chopra

PAK vs SA (Source: @weRcricket/X.com)PAK vs SA (Source: @weRcricket/X.com)

It turned out to be a completely dominant day for the Pakistan side on the first day of the first Test in Lahore, as they piled up 313 runs by stumps. On the back of half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq, skipper Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan troubled South Africa with the bat.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the 1st day of the first Test between Pakistan vs South Africa, as it unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood keep the morale high with confident half-centuries

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq walked out to the centre, but only for the former to be trapped in front of his stumps by South African pace superstar Kagiso Rabada, who sent him back in the very first over for just two runs on the board.

Following his dismissal, skipper Shan Masood walked in and played in a gritty manner, finding the middle of his bat. Along with Imam-ul-Haq, Masood troubled the South African batters time after time, as they kept finding boundaries. By lunch, Pakistan had 107 runs on the board for the loss of just one wicket, with Imam already reaching his half-century off 93 deliveries.

Following lunch, Pakistan went on to complete 150 runs in 44.1 overs. The duo then staged a 161-run stand for the second wicket, after which Prenelan Subrayen dismissed Shan for 76, as he was also trapped in front of the stumps, with Pakistan having 163 runs on the board.

After his dismissal, Imam-ul-Haq, who was batting wonderfully, lost his wicket too, nearing his century, as he was sent back for 93 by Senuran Muthusamy, after hitting seven boundaries and a maximum. Pakistan at that stage were 199 for three after 56.5 overs.

Rizwan, Salman stitch 114-run partnership to keep Pakistan ahead by stumps on Day 1

Following these two dismissals, Babar Azam walked into the center, but couldn't do much as he could only manage 23 runs after facing 48 deliveries before also being dismissed LBW by Simon Harmer, while the next batter, Saud Shakeel, after the dismissal of Imam-ul-Haq, couldn't even stay for two deliveries as he was caught for a golden duck by Muthusamy off his own bowling, as Pakistan were suddenly 199 for 5 after 59.2 overs.

Imam lost his wicket on the 5th delivery of the 57th over, and on the very next delivery, Shakeel departed. After 2.2 overs, Azam, who was trying to find some runs off his willow, was sent back with Pakistan not being able to add a single run after the dismissal of the left-hander.

From 199 for 2, they were suddenly 199 for 5, and then came the experienced duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. They kept grinding boundaries and looking for runs here and there.

At one point, the South African bowlers, who were at the top of their game, decided to take matters into their own hands, but couldn't, as the fielders didn't support them, dropping three crucial chances.

Both Rizwan and Salman batted brilliantly as Rizwan, by the end of the play, scored 62 not out off 117 deliveries, and Salman Agha was unbeaten on 52, as the duo stitched up a 114-run partnership off 184 deliveries by the conclusion of Day 1's play when stumps were called.

After completing 90 overs in the day, Pakistan had 313 runs on the board for the loss of just five wickets as South Africa lost their advantage. All thanks to the fielders who couldn't hold on to three vital chances.

Senuran Muthusamy picked up two wickets, while Simon Harmer, Prenelan Subrayen, and Kagiso Rabada grabbed one each. After the end of the day's play, it can be easily said that Pakistan are ahead in the game, with Rizwan and Salman taking them to safe quarters.