Saud, Rizwan lead Pak recovery

MULTAN:

Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead a Pakistan fightback in the first Test against the West Indies on Friday as the hosts reached 143-4 at the close of a fog-hit opening day.

When bad light in Multan ended play with just 41.3 overs bowled, Shakeel was on 56 for his ninth half- century and Rizwan was 51 not out for his 11th.

The pair added 97 after coming together with Pakistan in real trouble at 46-4.

The left-right combination of Shakeel and Rizwan negotiated the three-spinner West Indies attack with aplomb after fast bowler Jayden Seales initially left the home team struggling.

"This pitch is tough to bat on," said Rizwan.

"We batted with caution and just took advantage of loose balls. It's tough to judge what should be a good total, but we will target 300 plus."

Sensing the dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch will be tricky for batting on the last two days -- and with spin set to play a major role -- the home team opted to bat after winning the toss.

But play was delayed because of early morning fog compounded by poor air quality, resulting in limited visibility and wiping out the first session.

Shakeel has so far cracked four boundaries while Rizwan has seven hits to the fence.

Seales finished with 3-21 off 10 overs.

"My aim was to build pressure and get wickets," he said. "I sense spin will play a major role on this pitch going forward."

Both teams started with three spinners and just one frontline fast bowler, and the tourists opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie alongside Seales.

It was Seales who provided the breakthrough, forcing an edge off debutant Muhammad Hurraira to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach in the sixth over. Hurraira scored six.

Three overs later, Motie dismissed skipper Shan Masood off a faint edge to the wicketkeeper for 11, before Seales trapped Kamran Ghulam leg-before with a sharp incoming delivery for five.

It became 46-4 when Babar Azam edged Seales behind the wicket for eight, continuing a poor run of scores at home for Pakistan's premier batter.

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan currently rank eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.

CT set to return to Pakistan after world tour ends

The ICC Men's Champions Trophy is set to return to Pakistan after completing its world tour, with the prestigious trophy expected to reach Lahore later this month. The trophy has visited all the countries participating in the tournament, which is set to begin on February 19 and run until March 9, 2025.

Sources have confirmed that the Champions Trophy will be displayed in various cities across Pakistan, with plans to take it to different parts of Punjab as well. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is finalizing the tour details.

While the trophy had already been showcased in several major cities last November, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Murree, it was not displayed in Lahore. Now, the trophy's final stop in Pakistan will be in Lahore.

The eight-team tournament will be played across three venues in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi – as well as in Dubai. The tournament will feature 15 matches, and the eight teams have been divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

The opening match will see hosts Pakistan face New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, followed by a highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India on February 23 in Dubai.

The final of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Lahore, but if India qualifies, the match will be moved to Dubai. Additionally, a reserve day has been set aside for the final in case of weather disruptions.