Saud Shakeel scores 50 as Pakistan chases England’s target

• Despite their best efforts, England only took one wicket throughout the lengthy 135-minute session
• Pakistan is trying to reach a 343-run goal
• First Test tour of Pakistan by England since 2005

On the fifth and final day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, left-hander Saud Shakeel scored a good first half-century as Pakistan cruised towards an enticing England target.

The 27-year-old was unbeaten on 63 and Mohammad Rizwan was on 42 when Pakistan reached 169-3 at lunch. Pakistan was given a target of 343 and needed another 174 in the last two sessions with seven wickets still in tact.

In the lengthy 135-minute session, England worked hard to take wickets but only got one when pacer James Anderson had starter Imam-ul-Haq caught down the leg side by keeper Ollie Pope for 48.

In their first innings, England set a record by scoring 657 points before dismissing Pakistan for 579.

The Rawalpindi surface received harsh criticism for the massive score, but the Test picked up steam after England batted quickly in their second innings before declaring on Sunday at 264-7 to set up an intriguing final day.

At 80-2 when play resumed, Pakistan only added 13 runs in the first 65 minutes, and Rizwan failed to score on any of the first 23 balls he faced.

However, he changed up, scoring five boundaries and two sixes in an uninterrupted 80-run fourth wicket stand with Shakeel to start the chase well.

Shakeel finished off his half-century off 104 balls by cracking Leach for two boundaries.

England is now in Pakistan for their first Test tour since 2005 after declining to go during the intervening years due to security concerns.

December 9–13 is the date for the second Test in Multan, and December 17–21 is the date for the third Test in Karachi.

All-rounder Liam Livingstone will not be available for England in the Multan and Karachi Tests due to a knee injury he acquired during the current game.

The all-rounder made his Test debut for the English team during the opening match. Livingstone injured his knee on day two of the match while he was fielding.

The all-rounder was disqualified, according to the publication, after a scan confirmed the severity of the injury. The ECB and the Lancashire medical experts will oversee his rehabilitation regimen once he arrives back in the UK on Tuesday.

England has not yet named Livingstone’s successor.

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