Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq said Shan Masood had “proved himself in England” after the opener’s superb hundred helped the visitors to do well in England. Pakistan struggled after losing the important wicket of Babar Azam who got out at 69. Shan Masood struck his Test-best of 156 contributing to Pakistan’s 326- all out for the first innings.
England slumped to 12 for three quickly and ended the second day on 92 for four, with a deficit of 264 runs. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes got out for a duck and England captain Joe Root was sent pavilion on 14.
Masood batted for eight hours in the harsh conditions. He joined the likes of Misbah and team batting coach Younis Khan as one of just six Pakistan batsmen to have scored a hundred in three consecutive Test innings.
The 30-year-old Masood previously scored 135 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December and 100 against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in February.
We Would Have Been In Trouble If He Only Scored A Hundred: Misbah-ul-Haq
Shan Masood had two lifelines as he was twice reprieved by Jos Buttler on 45, the wicketkeeper dropping a catch and missing a stumping off-spinner Dom Bess. He stood the ground firm and scored a spectacular 156.
“It was an excellent performance by him, especially against a seam attack of (Stuart) Broad, (James) Anderson, (Chris) Woakes and (Jofra) Archer, and against an off-spinner (Bess) that was bowling well on a pitch where there was turn,” said Misbah-ul-Haq of the English-educated Masood’s fourth hundred in 21 Tests.
“It was good application and his hard work has paid off. Now he has proved himself here in England, so I’m really pleased, especially as it’s not (just) a hundred, (but) a big hundred,” Misbah-ul-Haq stated.
“Still, we would have been in trouble if he only scored a hundred. But hundred-and-fifty plus, and through the innings, that was really special.”
Happy With The Crucial Wickets: Mishab-ul-Haq
England slumped early at 12/3 and ended the second day on 92/4. The Pakistani coach was happy with his side taking early crucial wickets with the new ball.
“I’m so happy – it’s crucial for you to take wickets with the new ball especially when the game is like this and you are playing with just 326 runs on the board,” said Misbah-ul-Haq.
It’s day three and England stand on 103 for four with Ollie Pope batting at 51 and wicketkeeper Jos Butler at 15. This partnership would play a vital part in England’s chase. Pakistan are doing well to keep the pressure up at England by making it hard for them to even get singles.