Saud Shakeel's innings blasted by ex-Pakistan cricketer with '100% selfish' remark

Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed has blasted Saud Shakeel for playing a slow innings in the first Test between Pakistan and England at Multan. Shakeel scored 82 off 177 balls and struck 8 fours in his knock.

The left-hander looked solid at the crease but hardly showed any intent to pace up his innings despite Pakistan being in a good position. He had started positively on the first day of the Test match but eventually slowed down on Day 2.

Shakeel played some exquisite strokes during his knock and looked compact during his stay at the crease. But he missed out on a well-deserved hundred and was dismissed by the offspinner Shoaib Bashir as he had him caught by Joe Root.

Watch: Salman Ali Agha receives standing ovation from Babar Azam & others after stunning century vs England

Tanvir Ahmed blasts Saud Shakeel

Tanvir Ahmed, who is a well-known critic, blasted Saud Shakeel for showing low intent and called his innings 'Selfish'. He even called the batter's thinking poor.

"100% selfish inning by Saud Shakeel very poor thinking," Tanvir posted on X (formerly Twitter).

100% selfish inning by Saud Shakeel very poor thinking

— Tanveer Says (@ImTanveerA) October 8, 2024

Saud Shakeel's solid knock

Saud Shakeel is also currently the vice-captain of the Pakistan Test team, He took his time to build the innings and waited for the bad balls to score runs. His innings was an excellent one considering Pakistan had lost Babar Azam late on Day 1 and needed big partnerships.

Shakeel formed vital partnerships with Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Afridi to take Pakistan to a strong first-innings total on a flat batting surface in Multan.

However, he did not take much risks during his knock. While Shakeel stayed at one end, the other batters played positively and scored runs at a brisk pace. Salman scored a fiery hundred down the order and was attacking throughout his innings.

Salman Ali Agha smashes a brisk hundred

Salman Ali Agha smashed an unbeaten 104 off 119 with 10 fours and 3 sixes. He made full use of the tired English bowlers and scored runs all around the ground. Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi also scored 26 off 49 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.

Meanwhile, Pakistan scored 556 runs in their first innings after batting for 149 overs. Skipper Shan Masood top-scored with 151 while Abdullah Shafique and Salman Ali Agha also scored brilliant centuries.

Jack Leach was the most successful bowler for England and finished with 3-160. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse finished with two wickets each. In reply, England had already lost an early wicket in the form of captain Ollie Pope.

Pope had to come out to open in place of the regular opener Ben Duckett, who injured his hand in an attempt to take Abrar Ahmed's catch for the last wicket of Pakistan's innings.

The ongoing Test is the first of the three-match Test series between Pakistan and England. The next Test will also be played at Multan and the final Test will be held in Karachi.