England is considered one of the toughest places to bat for an opener in Test cricket. But for Pakistani left-handed opener Shan Masood it was a cup of tea, as he brought up his fourth Test century on the second day of the first Test at Manchester and brought an end to a 24-year wait to Pakistan cricket team on Thursday.
The last time a Pakistani opener scored a century was by Saeed Anwar who hit 176 at the Oval in August 1996. Anwar had scored 176 at the top of the order to help Pakistan gain a huge lead in the Third test at The Oval. His majestic efforts helped the Pakistan team to register a 9-wicket win. Since then Pakistan has toured England five times but the openers had failed to register a century.
Masood on Thursday continued to bat as the England bowlers continued to pick up early wickets. Masood and the spinner Shadab Khan helped Pakistan to score more than 300 with their 105- run partnership. With wickets falling towards the end of the innings, Masood shifted gears and brought up his maiden Test 150 as well before getting dismissed for 156 after the tea break.
