Twitter Reactions: Saim Ayub, Saud Shakeef half-centuries help Pakistan recover on stop-start batting day

Pakistan and Bangladesh kicked off their two-match Test series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on August 21. The game had a delay due to the persistent rain with the match witnessing some loss of overs.

The clash began with the hosts coming in to bat first after losing the toss on a green top wicket. Pakistan got off to a poor start as opener Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shan Masood departed after scoring just two and six runs, respectively. Masood engaged in an on-field spat with the on-field officials over his dismissal decision.

The Men in Green woes continued as star batter Babar Azam found himself walking back to the pavilion after a two-ball duck. The hosts found themselves reeling at 16/3. From there, opener Saim Ayub and 28-year-old Saud Shakeel took control of the innings.

Ayub and Shakeel both scored fifties and took the team out of a tricky position and stitched a valuable 98-run partnership. Ayub departed after scoring a 98-ball 56 and laced his innings with four boundaries and a six. He was the last man to walk back on the opening day.

Meanwhile, Shakeel is unbeaten on 57 and will continue his batting on Day 2 alongside wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan (24* off 31) for the fifth wicket.

As for Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud were the only two to pick wickets for the side as they both ended with two wickets apiece.

Also read: Babar Azam registers silver duck on opening day of Rawalpindi Test

As the second-day approaches, the hosts will look to put in a good first-inning total to put the visitors on the back foot. As for Najmul Hossain Shanto & Co., they will be looking to pick early wickets and not let the hosts take a good lead in the match.

Here are best reactions on the live action from Day 1: