Rizwan cites ‘tough pitch’ as ​​Pakistan recover vs Windies on fog-hit day

MULTAN, Pakistan (AFP) – Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead a Pakistani comeback in the first Test against the West Indies on Friday as the hosts reached 143-4 at the end of a fog-hit opening day.

As poor light in Multan ended play in just 41.3 overs, Shakeel 56 not out for his ninth half-century and Rizwan 51 not out for his 11th.

The pair added 97 after getting together, with Pakistan in real trouble at 46-4.

The left-right combination of Shakeel and Rizwan negotiated the West Indies three-spinner attack with confidence after fast bowler Jayden Seales initially left the home side struggling.

“This course is hard to hit,” Rizwan said.

“We batted cautiously and just took advantage of loose balls. It’s difficult to judge what a good total should be, but we will target 300 plus.”

Shakeel has so far blasted four boundaries while Rizwan has seven hits to the fence.

The sharp Seales finished the day with 3-21 off 10 overs.

“My aim was to build pressure and get wickets,” Seales said. “I sense that spin will play a big role on this pitch going forward.”

Sensing the dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch will be tough to bat on over the last two days – and with spin set to play a major role – the home side opted to bat after winning the toss.

But play was delayed due to early morning fog compounded by poor air quality, resulting in limited visibility and wiping out the first session.

Both teams started with three spinners and just one frontline fast bowler and the tourists opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie along with Seales.

It was Seales who provided the breakthrough, forcing debutant Muhammad Hurraira to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach in the sixth over. Hurraira scored six.

Three overs later, Motie dismissed skipper Shan Masood from a weak edge to the wicketkeeper for 11 before Seales caught Kamran Ghulam leg before with a crisp inbound delivery for five.

It became 46-4 when Babar Azam edged Seales behind the wicket for eight, continuing a poor run of scores at home for Pakistan’s premier batsman.

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan is currently ranked eighth and West Indies ninth and last.