Mohammad Rizwan pre-informed by Shan Masood that no personal milestone for Pakistan anymore

Pakistan vice-captain Saud Shakeel has come in support of skipper Shan Masood's decision to declare the innings on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh. Saud Shakeel said that Mohammad Rizwan was informed an hour in advance about the declaration around 450 runs in the first innings.

Pakistan dominated the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel smashed centuries to help the team reach a mammoth total of 448-6 before declaration. Rizwan remained unbeaten with 171 runs off 239 balls, while Shakeel scored 141 runs off 261 balls.

Pakistan declared their first innings in a strong position. The Pakistan skipper decided to bowl against Bangladesh openers before the stumps on Day 2. Pakistan put Bangladesh under pressure to avoid a large first-innings deficit. However, Shan Masood's decision to declare the innings raised questions.

Many social media users criticized Masood's decision to declare Pakistan's innings. They claimed that the Pakistan skipper denied Rizwan a chance to reach his double-century. Rizwan was just 29 runs short of the milestone, and some felt Masood could have waited for him to reach it before declaring.

Teams have forgotten 500 used to be a thing, they now declaring at 450.

Should have allowed Rizwan to score double century.

— tachyphylaxis (@tachyyphylaxis) August 22, 2024

Robbed Rizwan's well deserved Double century

— Asad (@asda1c) August 22, 2024

Mohammad Rizwan Was Told An Hour Before - Saud Shakeel

At the press conference following the day's play, Saud Shakeel was asked about Shan Masood's decision to declare the innings before Mohammad Rizwan's double hundred. Shakeel clarified that Rizwan was informed an hour before the declaration, adding that he had an idea when it would happen.

“See, as far as Rizwan bhai's double century is concerned, I don't think there was a haste in taking the decision (to declare the innings)."

"Because Rizwan bhai was clearly told an hour before that we would be declaring at this point of time. So he had an idea when we will declare. He was told we will try to near 450 before declaring,” Shakeel told reporters.

Mohammad Rizwan Set Record In World Test Championship History

Mohammad Rizwan set a record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in World Test Championship history. Rizwan broke Jos Buttler's record of 152 runs. He and Shakeel formed a 240-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Shakeel became the joint-fastest Pakistani batter to reach 1,000 runs.

Pakistan declared early to take as many wickets before the stumps. Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam survived the period and scored 27 runs in 12 overs without losing a wicket. Pakistan's pace attack, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, troubled Bangladesh batters before stumps.

Earlier on Day 1, Bangladesh had put Pakistan under pressure by reducing the home team to 16/3. Saim Ayub, who scored 56, steadied the innings with a 98-run partnership with Saud Shakeel. Rizwan added a 240-run stand with Shakeel to help Pakistan overcome Bangladesh's attack in the series opener.

Also read: Watch: Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan complete all-run 4 to punish Bangladesh’s dreadful fielding