PAK Vs ENG : Gus Atkinson Strikes Early To Send Saim Ayub Packing On Day 1 Of The 1st Test

The much-anticipated first Test between Pakistan and England got underway in Multan on Monday, October 7, as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. Both teams entered the series with a hunger for victory, eager to climb the WTC rankings. Pakistan, playing at home, won the toss and elected to bat first in what is expected to be a hard-fought three-match series. However, the opening session of the Test saw England’s young pace sensation Gus Atkinson deliver a crucial early blow, removing Pakistan’s promising opener, Saim Ayub, for just 4 runs.

This early dismissal set the tone for a fascinating day of Test cricket as Pakistan sought to steady themselves after the setback, with Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood playing vital roles. Here’s how the opening session unfolded, and what both sides will be looking to achieve as the game progresses.

Pakistan Wins the Toss: A Crucial Decision to Bat First

With the sun shining brightly over Multan, Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bat first on a track expected to favor the batters early on. The decision was a calculated one, considering the subcontinent’s typical conditions, where batting first often sets the tone for a Test match. Pakistan, with a formidable batting line-up that includes the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Saud Shakeel, were looking to build a strong total in the first innings.

Masood’s decision was underpinned by the importance of accumulating runs while the pitch still played true. The surface in Multan is known to break down as the match progresses, offering more assistance to spinners. By putting runs on the board first, Pakistan aimed to apply pressure on England, who have struggled in subcontinental conditions in the past.

Gus Atkinson Shines Early: Dismisses Saim Ayub for Just 4

England’s pacer Gus Atkinson, playing in only his second overseas Test, made an immediate impact by providing his team with an early breakthrough. In the fourth over of Pakistan’s innings, Atkinson dismissed opener Saim Ayub for a mere 4 runs. The dismissal came from a delivery that wasn’t particularly menacing but was well-executed.

Bowling from a short-of-a-length position, Atkinson angled the ball down the leg side, tempting Ayub to glance it fine towards the boundary. However, Ayub’s footwork let him down as he shuffled too far across his stumps, mistiming the shot and gloving the ball towards the wicketkeeper. Jamie Smith behind the stumps made no mistake, comfortably collecting the thin edge to give England their first wicket. This early strike reduced Pakistan to 8/1, setting them on the back foot and giving Atkinson his first Test wicket in Pakistan.

Atkinson’s early success was crucial for England as it not only dented Pakistan’s plans but also gave the young pacer a massive confidence boost in foreign conditions. His ability to get movement off the surface early on made life difficult for the Pakistan openers.

Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood Steady the Ship

Despite the early loss of Ayub, Pakistan’s next pair of Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood dug in to stabilize the innings. Shafique, known for his solid technique and temperament, started cautiously but soon found his rhythm, playing with fluency as he reached 31* by the end of the 13th over. Masood, too, played a composed knock, accumulating 18* as the duo began to rebuild Pakistan’s innings.

The partnership between Shafique and Masood was crucial in stemming the flow of wickets. With Pakistan reaching 56/1 after 13 overs, the pair ensured that the home side maintained a healthy run rate of over four runs per over. Shafique’s ability to drive on the up and Masood’s patient shot selection allowed Pakistan to negate the early loss and keep England’s bowlers at bay.

While England had taken an early wicket, they couldn’t afford to let the game slip. Shafique and Masood’s steady play provided Pakistan with a platform from which they could build a significant first-innings total.

Gus Atkinson Leads England’s Attack with Precision

Atkinson, who was entrusted with the new ball alongside veteran pacer Chris Woakes, proved to be the standout bowler for England in the first session. He finished his initial four-over spell with figures of 1/17, maintaining a consistent line and length while extracting some movement off the pitch. His ability to vary his pace and angle his deliveries kept the Pakistan batters in check.

Atkinson’s rise in the England set-up has been meteoric, and his performance in Multan further established him as a key figure in England’s bowling attack. Despite only making his second overseas appearance, Atkinson bowled with the composure and skill of a seasoned player, providing his team with the vital breakthrough that England needed to gain early control of the match.

Woakes, meanwhile, struggled to find the same level of discipline, conceding 26 runs in his 6-over spell. However, England’s bowling unit as a whole remained focused, applying pressure on the Pakistan batters through consistent, tight lines and an attacking field.

Pakistan’s Middle-Order Powerhouses Await

With the first session drawing to a close, the match remains delicately poised. While England managed to take an early wicket, Pakistan’s steady response means the game is still very much in balance. The real challenge for England will come when Pakistan’s middle-order stars, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, take to the crease.

Babar, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, has been in scintillating form, and his presence will be vital in Pakistan’s quest for a big first-innings score. Rizwan, known for his aggressive and counter-attacking style, could prove to be a thorn in England’s side if he gets going. With Saud Shakeel and Faheem Ashraf providing additional depth in the lower middle order, Pakistan will be aiming to pile on the runs as the day progresses.

England’s Tactics: Balancing Spin and Pace

While Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes spearheaded England’s pace attack, the team will also be relying on spin to trouble Pakistan’s batters on a track that is expected to favor slower bowlers as the game wears on. England’s spin options, including Jack Leach and Joe Root, will be key in containing Pakistan and creating opportunities for wickets as the pitch deteriorates.

For now, England’s pace bowlers have done their job in the first session by maintaining control and taking an important early wicket. However, as the day progresses and the ball begins to lose its shine, England’s spinners will need to step up and complement the efforts of their pacers.

A Delicately Poised Contest as Pakistan Builds a Foundation

As lunch approaches on Day 1 of the first Test in Multan, the match remains evenly balanced. Pakistan, having lost an early wicket, have done well to reach 56/1 with Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood at the crease. Their steady partnership has provided Pakistan with a solid foundation, but there is still a long way to go in this Test match.

England, buoyed by Gus Atkinson’s early breakthrough, will be looking to make further inroads into Pakistan’s batting line-up in the next session. With plenty of firepower left to come for Pakistan and a pitch that could assist both pace and spin, this match is set up to be a gripping contest over the coming days.

The opening session has already provided drama, and both teams will be eager to seize control as the first Test between Pakistan and England continues to unfold.

Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/