Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam and Shan Masood put Pakistan ahead on a rain-hit day

The much-awaited, England vs Pakistan Series began with the first Test match in Manchester on Wednesday. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat, the decision which surprised many. Pakistan went in with two leg spinners in Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan. The hosts, on the other end, retained the same eleven from their previous Test.

Just like during the West Indies series, the rain played spoilsport once again. On Day 1, only 49 overs of play was possible. This was due to constant showers time and again which caused various delays. However, Pakistan would be happy as they definitely finished ahead of the English side. At 139/2, they have a solid base and would be looking to maximize it on Day 2.

Shan Masood and Abid Ali walked out to open the innings for the Pakistan side. For England, it was the legendary duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson which began proceedings. They did find initial movement and bowled some good deliveries but were unable to get any wickets.

Shan Masood and Babar Azam shine on Day 1

Jofra Archer dismissed Abid Ali on the first ball of his second over. He bowled a beautiful delivery which went straight through the batsman’s defenses. From 36/1, the visitors soon lost their captain Azhar Ali for a duck. Chris Woakes bowled s beautiful inswinger to trap the experienced batsman.

Babar Azam walked in to bat next. This was definitely going to be the most important partnership for Pakistan. He received a peach of a delivery from Chris Woakes first up, which luckily missed the edge of his bat. After the first couple of wickets, England got no more success and also leaked runs.

Babar and Masood have stitched a 96-run unbeaten partnership with the former playing some sumptuous shots. The English line-up had no answers to their phenomenal batting which led Pakistan to a successful opening day. Babar is unbeaten on 69 while Masood is building his innings slowly with an unbeaten 152-ball 46.

England will need to strike early and somehow restrict the tourists from crossing the 300-run mark which is a benchmark these days in Tests especially in the UK.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: