PAK v ENG, Multan Test: Bowling coach proud England didn't give up on tough Day 1

Pakistan vs England, 1st Test: Jeetan Patel praised the England bowling unit for keeping their composure on a hot day in Multan, saying the three wickets in the final session were a reward to their persistence.

In Short

• Pakistan score3d at over 4 runs per over in the first two sessions in Multan
• England fought back with three wickets in the final session on Monday
• England got the big wicket of Babar Azam in the penultimate over of the day

England bowling coach Jeetan Patel praised the bowlers for toiling hard and not throwing in the towel on a difficult opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. England bowlers were made to work hard for their rewards as Pakistan posted 328 for 4, scoring at close to 4 runs per over. England hung around and picked three big wickets in the final session to head into close of play with renewed confidence.

The Multan pitch had a thick covering of grass in the lead-up to the Test match. However, it was shaven and a good batting deck was on offer for the first day of the much-anticipated series. England tasted early success after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. Gus Atkinson, playing his first Test away from home, struck in his second over, getting the wicket of Pakistan opener Saim Ayub. However, it was the only wicket for England in the first two sessions.

Pakistan vs England, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights

Captain Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique kept the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace, putting the pressure right back on England bowlers. Masood hit a 102-ball hundred and converted it into 151 while Shafique hit a well-compiled hundred. Pakistan scored at over 4 runs per over in the first two sessions.

"Solid toil. I’m pretty proud of the boys to put in that stint in the last session. We spoke this morning about chasing the ball hard in the field, no matter what the day brings us. That’s such an easy thing to do, but in conditions like this, it’s easy to stop doing. What the boys did tonight was brilliant. It was a hell of an effort from the boys," Jeetan Patel told Sky Sports after the end of the day's plan in Multan.

England broke a 253-run partnership between Masood and Shafique in the third session. Atkinson provided the crucial breakthrough, dangling a delivery outside off-stump and tempting Shafique into playing a lofted shot. The Pakistan opener paid the price for a rare lapse in concentration after getting to his hundred.

Shan Masood followed his partner back to the dressing room as he gave a simple return catch to left-arm spinner Jack Leach after getting to his second 150-plus score in Test cricket.

Pakistan looked to push forward when Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel settled into their innings and stitched a 50-plus stand. However, in the penultimate over of the day, England's most experienced Chris Woakes struck, getting the huge wicket of the former captain for 30.

"You always want one or two more [wickets], don’t you? Six down at the end of the day would have been amazing. But to have them one down at Tea and take three wickets in the last session really sets up tomorrow (Tuesday) morning for us."

DID THE PITCH SURPRISE ENGLAND?

Shedding light on the nature of the pitch, Patel added: "We thought it might nip around a bit more this morning just because it was fresh. May be, it did for five overs, almost like a one-day wicket. But, it just did not really keep the pace as we thought. Because of the grass cover, we thought it might have a bit more pace through the day. It's just the heat.

"But then, you still have to look to take 10 wickets and then the next 10 wickets (Second innings). So, we just have to keep looking at different ways -- whether it's different lengths and lines, keep finding ways to do it," he added.

Saud Shakeel, unbeaten on 35, and nightwatchman Naseem Shah will resume Pakistan's innings on Tuesaday and England will be looking to push for early wickets.