Harsha Bhogle & Aakash Chopra laud Shan Masood for his brave knock against England

Veteran commentators as well as versatile cricket pundits Harsha Bhogle and Aakash Chopra came forward and lauded Pakistani opening batsman Shan Masood who gave a new lease of life to Pakistani innings as he held one end tightly when his team lost wickets at regular intervals as he ended up scoring 150 in first Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. 

'Shandaar Masood'

Taking to micro-blogging site, Chopra lauded southpaw by calling him 'Shandaar Masood'.

In ar tweet, former Indian Test opener mentioned that visiting team showed great character to reach a total of 326 after y had lost half ir side for 176.  He n added that 325+ is good but losing 6 for 150 isn’t nice. Furrmore, cricketer-turned-commentator analyst added that Pakistan had a chance to bat England out of this game but y did t do it.

Meanwhile, Bhogle lauded excellent performances of both Pakistan and Shan Masood and n mentioned that any runs above 300 will hurt England greatly. At same time, 'Voice of Indian Cricket' also added that visitors should t lose if y get 350 with bowling side y have picked.

Shan Masood takes Pakistan to a formidable total

situation was t at all tailormade for opening batsman by any means as he along with batting sensation Babar Azam had to rebuild innings after visitors were reduced to 43/2. duo added 96 runs for third wicket as Pakistan finished Day 1 at 139/2. 

Unfortunately, Day 2 did t start on a good te for visitors as an in-form Babar Azam was dismissed on very first over without troubling scorers and that was a much-needed breakthrough for England. Masood n took matters into his own hands and single-handedly toyed around with English bowlers. To make things more complicated, he did t get any support from middle-order as Asad Shafiq and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan were dismissed in quick succession as Pakistan went into lunch break at 176/5.

Masood received support from all-rounder Shadab Khan lower down order as duo added 105 runs for sixth wicket before Khan was sent back. Jofra Archer n accounted for Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas off successive deliveries. Meanwhile, southpaw soldiered on for visitors and registered his 150 as Pak went into tea at 312/8.

neless, Shan Masood was dismissed immediately after tea as he was plumb in front of wicket by Stuart Broad. matter was referred upstairs and decision was made against batsman. Masood walked back for 156 and helped his team in posting a first-innings total in excess of 300. y were eventually bundled out for 326.