Babar (136), Imam-ul-Haq (121) and Abdullah (114) hit tons
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPINDI (December 3, 2022): A nerves controlled 136 runs innings by skipper Babar Azam led his team from the front to take the team’s score 499 for 7 in 136 overs on the third day of the first Test at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Saturday.
Captain Babar Azam was top scorer of the day, as made 136 runs by playing some cracking strokes, as his innings was included 19 boundaries and a single six, as he also contributed a line-share for the 123 runs third wicket partnership with Saud Shakeel, who was playing his first Test match of his life. Saud scored 37 runs, as he wasted 93 balls for his little innings.
Earlier, opening batters Abdullah and Imam-ul-Haq built-up the innings with reasonable opening start, as the Abdullah was first man to back in the dressing room at the total of 225 runs. Abdullah’s individual score was 114 (202 balls) with the help of 13 fours and three sixes. The both openers Abdullah and Imam-ul-Haq completed their ton and strengthen the team’s position, as the first wicket fell on 225 when Abdullah Shafiq was caught behind by Ollie Pope on the bowling of Wil Jacks in 66th over of Green Shirts innings.
Hosts lost their second batter at 245, when Imam-ul-Haq got out on his personal score of 121 including 15 boundaries and two sixes. Saud Shakeel 37 (93 balls, 4x3), Mohammad Rizwan 29 (44 balls, 4x3) and Azhar Ali 27 (48 balls, 4x5) were other main scorer for Pakistan.
Wil Jacks snared three batter for his 132 runs was the best with the ball while Jack Leach took two wickets. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson shared one wicket each a piece for the England.
Agha Salam with 10 runs and Zahid Mehmood with solitary run were not out batters of the day and they will restart their innings on Sunday morning.
Summarized Scorecard (Pindi Test):
Toss: England won and decided to bat
England Batting (First innings): 657 all out in 101 overs
Harry Brook (153 runs, 116 balls, 4x19, 6x5), Zak Crawley (122 runs, balls 111, 4x2, 6x0), Ollie Pope (108 runs, 104 balls, 4x14), Ben Duckett (107 runs, 110 balls, 4x15, 6X0), Joe Root (23 runs, 31 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Ben Stoke (41 runs, 18 balls, 4x6, 6x2)
Pakistan (Bowling):
Zahid Mehmood (4 for 235), Naseem Shah (3 for 140), Mohammad Ali (2 for 124), Haris Rauf (1 for 78)
Pakistan Batting (First innings): 499 for 7 in 136 overs
Babar Azam 136 (168 balls, 4x19, 6x1), Imam-ul-Haq 121 (207 balls, 4x15, 6x2), Abdullah Shafiq 114 (203 balls, 4x13, 6x3), Saud Shakeel 37 (93 balls, 4x3), Mohammad Rizwan 29 (44 balls, 4x3), Azhar Ali 27 (48 balls, 4x5)
England (Bowling):
Wil Jacks (3 for 132), Jack Leach (2 for 160), James Anderson (1 for 47), Ollie Robinson (1 for 64)
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain & WK), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Ali, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Zahid Mehmood
England (Playing XIs):
Ben Stokes (c), Joe Root, James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson
Schedule of Tests:
9-13 December – 2nd Test, Multan
17-21 December – 3rd Test, Karachi
