Shakeel and Rizwan Steer Pakistan’s Recovery Against West Indies with Gritty Half-Centuries

Stumps: Pakistan 143 for 4 (Shakeel 56, Rizwan 51, Seales 3-21) vs West Indies**

On the opening day of the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan, half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan helped Pakistan recover from a precarious 46 for 4 to end the day on 143 for 4. The duo’s determined partnership blunted the West Indian attack after an early triple-strike from pacer Jayden Seales had placed the visitors firmly in control.

A Delayed Start in Foggy Multan

Heavy fog caused a four-hour delay to the start of play, forcing the floodlights to stay on throughout the day. After Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first on a surface expected to assist spinners, the West Indies began with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. Motie wasted no time, dismissing Pakistan's stand-in captain Shan Masood for a single with a sharp delivery that was caught by debutant wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach.

However, the spotlight quickly shifted to Jayden Seales, who made an immediate impact with the ball.

Seales’ Fiery Spell Rattles Pakistan

Seales exploited the hazy conditions to perfection, using subtle seam movement and pace to dismantle Pakistan’s top order. He struck first when debutant Mohammad Hurraira edged a ball to the keeper, departing for just 4. Kamran Ghulam followed soon after, trapped lbw by a delivery that seamed back sharply after he had struck a boundary the ball before.

The biggest blow came when Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting mainstay, fell for just 6. Seales delivered a rising delivery that Babar attempted to guide into the off-side, only to edge it to Imlach. Babar’s review confirmed the inevitable, leaving Pakistan tottering at 46 for 4 within the first session.

Shakeel and Rizwan Lead the Resistance

With Pakistan staring down the barrel, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan came together to steady the ship. Shakeel, accustomed to playing on spin-friendly pitches, showcased immense composure as he absorbed the pressure from the West Indies attack. At the other end, Rizwan batted with concentration and flair, ensuring that Pakistan’s innings didn’t collapse further.

Post-tea, the duo shifted gears. Shakeel’s sweep shot against Kevin Sinclair marked the start of a counterattack that brought Pakistan seven boundaries in just six overs. Rizwan was particularly proactive, using his feet against the spinners and rotating the strike effectively.

Shakeel reached his half-century with a deftly placed shot, and Rizwan followed suit soon after with equally assured strokes. Their 97-run unbeaten partnership not only rescued Pakistan from trouble but also shifted the momentum slightly in the hosts’ favor as the day wore on.

West Indies’ Persistent Effort

Despite the partnership, the West Indies bowlers kept probing. Several deliveries narrowly missed the outside edge, and Shakeel had a close call when he popped a ball just short of the short midwicket fielder. However, their efforts couldn’t break the resolve of Pakistan’s middle order as bad light eventually forced an early close to play.

A Balanced End to Day One

By stumps, Pakistan had managed to claw their way back into the contest, thanks to Shakeel and Rizwan’s unbroken stand. The pair ensured that the team ended the day in a much better position than when they were reeling at 46 for 4.

The West Indies, however, remain well-placed to capitalize on any early breakthroughs on Day Two, with Pakistan still trailing a dominant position.