Shan Masood had defended struggling Abdullah Shafique ahead of the three-match Test series against England and even compared him with star India batter Virat Kohli. Shafique justified the trust and backing of his Test captain by scoring a hundred in the first innings of the opening match against England in Multan. Abdullah was averaging 7 in 2024 with three ducks before the ongoing contest against the Ollie Pope-led team.

In the pre-match press conference, Masood was asked by a journalist that why Shafique was preferred over Kamran Ghulam, who is averaging 50 in first-class cricket.

Masood dismissed the comparisons and said that Shafique has a better Test record than Virat Kohli.

“I read somewhere that Abdullah Shafique has a better record than Virat Kohli after 19 Test matches. You question is not justified,” Masood had said.

Shafique accumulated 102 runs off 184 balls before Gus Atkinson took his wicket. On the other hand, Masood accumulated 151 runs off 177 deliveries.

Pakistan were 328/4 with Saud Shakeel and Naseem Shah at the crease after 86 overs on Day 1. Babar Azam was dismissed after scoring 30 runs. For England, Gus Atkinson took two wickets.