NEW DELHI: Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan staged a crucial recovery for Pakistan on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies in Multan, guiding their team to 143-4 after a shaky start.
The day, curtailed by fog and poor air quality, saw only 41.3 overs bowled, with Pakistan fighting back from 46-4 when the duo came together.
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Shakeel remained unbeaten on 56, registering his ninth Test half-century, while Rizwan scored 51 not out, marking his 11th fifty in the format. The pair added a vital 97-run partnership to stabilize Pakistan’s innings after early damage inflicted by West Indies pacer Jayden Seales.

The home side, aware of the dry and grassless nature of the Multan pitch that promises a tough batting challenge in the later stages, chose to bat first after winning the toss. However, their decision backfired early as Seales exploited the conditions to return impressive figures of 3-21 from 10 overs.
Seales struck in the sixth over, inducing an edge from debutant Muhammad Hurraira (6) to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie then removed Shan Masood for 11, courtesy of another catch behind the stumps. Seales continued to trouble the hosts, trapping Kamran Ghulam leg-before for 5 and dismissing Babar Azam (8) with an edge, leaving Pakistan reeling at 46-4.
Shakeel and Rizwan, showcasing composure and excellent shot selection, countered the three-spinner attack fielded by the West Indies. Shakeel struck four boundaries in his knock, while Rizwan hit seven. Their left-right combination provided much-needed stability to Pakistan’s innings.
Earlier, poor visibility caused by fog and low air quality delayed the start of play and wiped out the first session. Both teams opted for spin-heavy bowling lineups, with three spinners each and a solitary frontline pacer.
The match is part of the ICC World Test Championship‘s third cycle (2023-2025), with Pakistan ranked eighth and the West Indies ninth. With spin expected to play a decisive role on a deteriorating pitch, the Test promises an intriguing battle in the coming days.