Ayub and Shakeel help Pakistan to 158-4 against Bangladesh in first test

Pakistan managed to recover from a shaky beginning on a rain-affected first day of the inaugural Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel contributed resilient half-centuries, leading the home team to a score of 158-4 at the close of play on Wednesday.

Opening batsman Ayub was dismissed for 56, while Shakeel remained not out on 57, as the pair formed a crucial partnership of 98 runs after Bangladesh won the toss and unleashed their pace attack on a pitch conducive to fast bowling.

As the batting conditions improved under the sun, the duo guided the team to 81-3 by tea, continuing to accumulate runs in the final session until Bangladesh made a breakthrough by dismissing the threatening Ayub in the 32nd over.

In a brief moment of distraction, the left-handed batsman attempted an ambitious drive against Hasan Mahmud but edged the ball to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the slip.

Shakeel, who earlier matched Saeed Ahmed as the joint-fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1,000 Test runs, celebrated his 20th innings with his seventh half-century.

Mohammad Rizwan remained not out on 24 at the end of the day, providing Pakistan with a solid foundation to build upon in the first match under the guidance of new head coach Jason Gillespie.

A damp outfield delayed the morning session, and Pakistan faced an early setback when play resumed at 14:30 local time, as Abdullah Shafique's careless shot was caught by Zakir Hasan at gully.

Shoriful Islam claimed two wickets in consecutive overs, leaving the hosts struggling at 16-3, with captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam both dismissed after being caught behind by Litton Das.

Masood expressed his frustration over his contentious dismissal, as television replays indicated that the ball had brushed his pad after passing the bat without making contact.