Multan, Pakistan: The opening batsman Abdullah Shafique extended his gratitude towards Test captain Shan Masood for providing him with ample opportunities to demonstrate his capabilities and secure a comeback following a period of underperformance.
Shafique had been grappling with a slump in form following a lackluster performance with the bat during Pakistan's historic 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh the previous month.
Amidst mounting pressure, Shafique met the challenge head-on, adopting a cautious strategy, and ultimately managed to overcome his difficulties with an impressive century against England in the opening Test.
Following a solid foundation laid by Pakistan in Multan, Shafique acknowledged the support from Masood and the Pakistan team management during his challenging phase with the bat.
"As an athlete, one must confront obstacles and endure setbacks. However, I am grateful to the team management and captain for their belief in me and for providing me with sufficient opportunities and a fair chance to make a comeback," Shafique expressed in a press conference following the conclusion of the first day's play on Monday.
Pakistan found themselves in a difficult position after conceding four wickets early in the first session. Shafique and Masood, however, rose to the occasion, establishing a partnership of 253 runs that shifted the momentum in Pakistan's favor.
Before succumbing to fatigue, Shafique scored 102 runs (184) in the match. Masood, who led the charge during their remarkable stand, scored 151 runs (177) at a strike rate of 85.31.
On a sweltering day in Multan, the pitch presented a challenge to the English bowlers, making it an even more formidable task for the visitors to dismiss wickets.
Shafique anticipates the pitch to become increasingly challenging for the batsmen as the game progresses and expects the spinners to play a significant role.
"Test pitches are notoriously challenging in the early stages due to their freshness. The pitch was particularly difficult to bat on in the first session, but my partnership with Masood significantly bolstered our team. We are also optimistic about the hard surface in Multan, which is expected to favor the spinners as batting will become increasingly challenging due to the cracks," Shafique elaborated.
After displaying dominance over England, Pakistan concluded the day with a comfortable score of 328/4.
