On a flat batting surface with nothing for the bowlers to offer, the Pakistan batters enjoyed a dream day with the bat as skipper Shan Masood hit a Test ton after four years while Abdullah Shafique hit the 5th Test century of his career but there was no luck in store for Babar Azam as he failed to play a big knock once again. After Saim Ayub departed early, Masood and Shafique put up a massive partnership of 253 runs. Masood made a knock of 151 while Shafique made 102 runs. Both departed in the third session as Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel walked out to bat.On a placid track, it seemed a golden chance for the former Pakistan captain to get back in the runs. However, Babar was dismissed by star English pacer Chris Woakes and trapped in front of the stumps after England took the new ball. The 29-year-old departed back to the dressing room just nine balls before stumps on the first day.

Babar Azam Extends Embarrasing Streak Babar Azam continued his poor run of form in Test cricket, as this was the 17th innings without a half-century for him. The last time he crossed the 50-run mark was 648 days ago (26th December, 2022) at the Karachi National Stadium against New Zealand. Babar, who was Pakistan's captain at the time, made a knock of 161 in the first innings of the first Test. Since then, Babar has made 361 runs in 17 innings with a highest score of 41. Babar did not cross the 50-run mark once in 2023 and is yet to do the same in 2024. He has a maximum of nine innings more left in this calendar year. After the second innings of this game, Pakistan will play two more Tests against England. Later, they will travel to South Africa for two Tests. During his half-century drought, the former Pakistan captain has batted eight times out of 17 at home. Six knocks came in Australia, while three innings were in Sri Lanka.