Shan Masood scored a stellar fifty as Pakistan looked to bounce back in the second AUS vs PAK Test at the MCG after Imam-ul-Haq went out for a mere 10. The Pakistan skipper scored 50 off 63 balls including 3 fours and one six. While Shafiq fell off the 62 from 109 balls, former captain Babar Azam was the next to go off.
In response to Australia’s first-innings total of 318, Pakistan encountered their initial setback with 34 runs on the board when Shan Masood took the crease. Partnering with opener Abdullah Shafique (62), the pair forged a resilient partnership, contributing 90 runs.
Masood assumed the role of the aggressor in the partnership, maintaining a healthy scoring rate. However, his innings came to an end after completing a fifty, falling victim to Nathan Lyon.
Shan Masood made his Test debut a decade ago in October 2013 against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Despite showcasing a half-century in his inaugural Test innings, Masood faced challenges in securing a consistent place in the Test side.
Due to various reasons, Masood had limited stints in Test cricket but made a return to Pakistan’s Test side last year. Notably, he assumed the captaincy after Babar Azam stepped down.
Over a career spanning more than a decade, Masood has accumulated 1,683 runs from 32 Tests at an average of 28.52, including four centuries and eight half-centuries. The left-handed batter has particularly demonstrated his prowess against Australia, amassing 242 Test runs at an average of 34.57.
