Pakistan have posted 143 runs on the first day after a prolonged start on the opening day of the Test against West Indies due to frost. Despite early jitters, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan’s fifty kept them well-poised amidst Jayden Seales’ three-fer in the second session of play.
Following a prolonged delay due to frost, Shan Masood’s ploy to bat first and avoid fourth innings batting on a rank-turner backfired after the Windies bowlers exploited the renovated Multan pitch. Gudakesh Motie drew first blood followed by Jayden Seales striking from the other end as Mohammad Hurraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Babar Azam failed to deal with the early seam movement. Under adverse situations, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were observant and played out the spinners until Tea with the score reading 86/4.
Following resumption, Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican bowled in tandem in search of wickets. Although the former gave some looseners early on in the session, allowing Shakeel to inch near the fifty-run mark. However, he quickly adjusted his line, beating the edges with low bounce and sharp turn as Pakistan reached 127/4 in 37 overs. Right after, Shakeel brought up his fifty and kept the scorecard ticking despite the light fading. In no time, Rizwan joined Shakeel with a fifty setting up a score of 143/4 at Stumps.
Is he?
Rizwan is criminally underrated in tests
— paty kummina (@EdgeAndGonee) January 17, 2025
Reduced
Pakistan had been reduced to 46/4 after a delayed start due to fog, after which Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan strung up a partnership of 97 runs, with both batters scoring half centuries.
The home side end Day 1 on 143 for the loss of 4 wickets 🇵🇰
A commendable fight back 👏🏼— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) January 17, 2025
Stumps
Stumps on Day 1.
– Pakistan 143/4, Saud Shakeel remains not out on 56 and Rizwan on 51. Brilliant comeback by Pakistan after the early domination by West Indies.#PAKvWI #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/793crvhaGL— Pro Cricket PK🇵🇰 (@Pro_CricketPK) January 17, 2025
Much needed
A much needed fifty by Rizwan when Pakistan lost early wickets, absolutely a superb fifty 👏🏻. Keep going well Rizwan. https://t.co/QktcA3nQjq
— Nigar Ali (@Iam_NigarAli) January 17, 2025
The highest
Mohammad Rizwan’s batting average in Tests in last 5 years is 41.56, the highest for any keeper-batter in the world. (Min: 10 matches). #PakvWI
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 17, 2025
Excellent
Good Partnership by Rizwan and Saud Shakeel 🔥🥹
Excellent going, Need 270-300 at least 🤩#PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/yZVFsXGMsY— H A M Z A 🇵🇰 (@HamzaKhan259) January 17, 2025
Stumps
Stumps on Day 1.
– Pakistan 143/4, Saud Shakeel remains not out on 56 and Rizwan on 51. Brilliant comeback by Pakistan after the early domination by West Indies. pic.twitter.com/F767gFVHqO— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) January 17, 2025
Another one
11th Test 50 For Muhammad Rizwan. What a brave batting display by him today. Pakistan 141 runs with 4 wickets loss. A Good Partnership between Saud and Rizwan. What a comeback by Pakistan.#PakistanCricket #PAKvsWI #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/hBwmoLilIu
— Mad Max (@madahmerafridi) January 17, 2025
Make it a ton
yayy a 50 by rizwan 🫶🏻 make it a hundred pls 😭
— Hoorain. (@hooorainnn) January 17, 2025
What a knock
Good fighting knock from Rizwan.
Pakistani fans criticize him so much for his stance and no offside game but somehow he always end up scoring runs in Tests and ODI. The most successful batsman for Pakistan in Tests for last few years after Saud and Agha. #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/GBCprvoGlu— Cric Boi (@Cric_B8) January 17, 2025
