Pakistan made a strong start to the first Test against South Africa in Lahore on Sunday, reaching 313 for 5 at stumps on Day 1, thanks to composed half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Agha.
Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq led the way with a fluent 93, while captain Shan Masood added a valuable 76, steadying the innings after the early dismissal of Abdullah Shafique, who fell leg-before to Kagiso Rabada for just 2 runs off the third ball of the match.
Electing to bat first on what’s expected to be a spin-friendly surface at the Gaddafi Stadium, Masood included specialist spinners Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan in the playing XI.
Imam reached his 10th Test fifty during a solid 105-run stand with Masood, hitting five boundaries in his patient knock.
South African captain Aiden Markram turned to spin as early as the sixth over, using all three of his spinners — Prenelan Subrayen, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy — before lunch. However, it was Rabada who provided the only early breakthrough.
Later in the day, Rizwan and Salman Agha kept the momentum going with unbeaten half-centuries, guiding Pakistan past the 300-run mark. Muthusamy was the most successful of the South African bowlers, claiming two wickets.
This Test is the first of a two-match series, part of the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). South Africa enters the series as the reigning WTC champions, having defeated Australia in the final this past June.
