Masood, Ayub lead Pakistan’s recovery after shaky start against Bangladesh

RAWALPINDI: Skipper Shan Masood scored a quick half-century amid his anchoring partnership with Saim Ayub to help Pakistan recover after a dismal start in the second Test against Bangladesh. The left-handed duo took Pakistan to 99/1 at Lunch on Day 2 of the second Test of the two-match series. Sent into bat first, Pakistan found themselves in a state of bother when Taskin Ahmed cleaned up their right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique a duck with an in-dipper.

Following the early hiccup, Masood joined Ayub in the middle and launched an astounding recovery. The pair batted sensibly against in-form Bangladesh bowlers with Masood leading the charge. The skipper brought up his 10th Test half-century and was unbeaten on 53 off 62 deliveries when the first session came to its closure.



Ayub, on the other hand, was 43 not out. For the unversed, the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was called off due to persistent rain here on Friday. Overnight downpours delayed the toss and after more monsoon rains, umpires abandoned play for the day shortly after midday.

“The first day’s play has been called off due to persistent rain and wet outfield,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted on their social media platforms. Notably, neither team left their hotels. Playing XIs Bangladesh : Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad. READ: Misbah-ul-Haq to mentor Wolves in Champions Cup.