"Looks like a road in Multan": Michael Vaughan roasts PAK vs ENG 1st Test pitch

Former England captain Michael Vaughan took a brutal dig at the pitch used for the first Test match between Pakistan and England in Multan. Michael Vaughan claimed that the pitch is flat as a "road" as there was absolutely no help for the bowlers.

Pakistan won the toss and correctly elected to bat first on this pitch. After losing the opener Saim Ayub early, Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shan Masood stitched together a marathon partnership to take Pakistan ahead.

Both Shafique and Masood played positively throughout their innings. Both of them were dismissed in the third session of Day 1 but not before making crucial hundreds. Masood smashed 151 off 177 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes while Shafique scored 102 off 184 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes.

Also read: 'Injured' Ben Stokes forced into water boy role in PAK vs ENG 1st Test

Michael Vaughan roasts Multan pitch; calls it a "road"

After having a close look at the proceedings, Michael Vaughan understood the pitch and took to social media to express his feelings. He claimed that the pitch is flat as a road and it was a great toss to win for Pakistan.

"Looks like a road in Multan .. Great toss to have won .. also nice to see @shani_official batting in what looks like Padel shoes," Michael Vaughan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Looks like a road in Multan .. Great toss to have won .. also nice to see @shani_official batting in what looks like Padel shoes .. #PAKvsENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 7, 2024

Shan Masood was given out lbw early in his innings but the Pakistan captain took a review to overturn the umpire's decision. Since then, he batted positively and showed positive intent against the fast bowlers as well as the spinners.

Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique return to form

It was a welcome century from the Pakistan skipper who has been going through some tough times recently. Masood has lost all five Tests as the Pakistan captain so far and is still searching for the first victory. In the recent series against Bangladesh, the left-hander scored 105 runs in 2 Tests at an average of 26.25.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique was solid and used his feet well against the spinners. Shafique too had a poor series against Bangladesh recently and there were question marks over his form. He scored just 42 runs in 2 Tests against Bangladesh at an average of 10.50.

Both batters attack Shoaib Bashir

Both the batters were particularly attacking against the offspinner Shoaib Bashir and made full use of the fantastic batting conditions on Day 1. Shafique was dismissed to a tired shot from Gus Atkinson while Shan Masood chipped one back to the left-arm spinner Jack Leach.

Both teams are coming into this series on the back of contrasting forms. While England defeated Sri Lanka 2-1 in a Test series at home, Pakistan were clean-swept by Bangladesh 2-0. The first two Tests between Pakistan and England will be played in Multan while the third Test will be played at Rawalpindi.