Pakistan cricket team again not performing

 

On the first day of the Southampton Test, Pakistan's initial batting line failed again. In a rain-affected match, five Pakistani batsmen returned to the pavilion for 126 runs in just 45.4 overs.

Opener Abid Ali managed to score a half-century, while Fawad Alam, who played Test cricket 11 years later, was dismissed for zero.

Captain Azhar Ali's decision to bat first after winning the toss against England did not go down well.

Shaun Masood, the century maker of the previous match, was dismissed on an individual score of just one. On the second wicket, Abid Ali and captain Azhar Ali showed responsibility and formed a partnership of 72 runs.

Azhar Ali was dismissed for 20 runs, Abid Ali managed to score a half century, he was dismissed for an individual score of 60.

Veteran Asad Shafiq could score only 5 runs while the return of Fawad Alam, who played Tests after 11 years and 259 days, proved to be a nightmare. He was dismissed without scoring a run.

At present, Babar Azam is unbeaten on 25 and Mohammad Rizwan is unbeaten on four and Pakistan's score is 126 for five.

The match had to be stopped several times due to rain and therefore the game had to end early.

Talking to media after the match, opener Abid Ali said that he was disappointed that he could not play a long innings but tried his best.

Abid Ali said that the management is very supportive, giving confidence to everyone.

English cricketer Sam Curran said in a press conference that after the catches were dropped in the beginning, we did a good low back.

He also said that today was a good day for the bowlers overall.

"I'm happy to be back in the team, it's always nice to take wickets," said Sam Curran.