Pakistan began their historic first Test against Australia in Rawalpindi on Friday.
The arrival of Australia in the country is significant. This was the first time they have toured to play Test cricket here in 24 years, having chosen to shun the country, like many touring sides, after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009. Thanks to heightened security, the Australians are reported to feel safe in their temporary home.
This is be the first time they have played an overseas Test match outside Australia since mid-2019, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both came into this match in good form. Australia thrashed England in the Ashes, while Pakistan have won seven of their last eight Test matches.
Australians were able to name a full-strength side, while Pakistan had a number of absences in their ranks, including Abid Ali, who is recovering from a heart condition, and Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf due to multiple fitness issues.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss, batted, and was rewarded as his opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq put on a century stand. Then, at the stroke of lunch, Shafique was caught by Pat Cummins off Nathan Lyon. Shafique had made 44 in 105 balls with a six and three fours.
Pakistan went to the break at 105/1, with Imam undefeated on 57.
That success with ball proved to be the only one that Australia would enjoy all day on a slow pitch that offered very little encouragement to the bowlers. Imam and Azhar Ali batted the rest of the day with scarcely an undue moment.
It proved to be a momentous afternoon for Imam, who reached his maiden test century but did not stop there. By the close of play, the pair had added an unbeaten 140 for the second wicket,
At stumps, Imam was unbeaten on 132 and Azhar on 64, as the pair closed with the score 245/1. It was a long, tiring day in the field for the Australians, who used eight bowlers in a vain attempt to make a further breakthrough.
The bad news for them is that they face more of the same tomorrow.
Pakistan 245/1 (Imam ul-Haq 132*; Nathan Lyon 1-87) vs Pakistan.