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Babar Azam, Shan Masood frustrate England on a rain-marred day of opening Test

Babar Azam struck a smooth half-century to put Pakistan slightly ahead on a rain-marred day of the first Test at Manchester.

The play was intervened by a couple of showers and was eventually called off with only 49 overs bowled. Pakistan ended the opening day at 139 for 2 with both Babar and Shan unbeaten on 69 and 46 respectively.

Masood was let off the hook by Jos Buttler as he fluffed a stumping and catch off Dom Bess.

But the headlines were grabbed by young batting maestro Babar Azam, receiving multiple plauses on air by Sky Sports commentary panel.

Former England captain and famous broadcaster, Nasser Hussain, said the ‘fab-four’ should now be called ‘fab-five’ with Babar Azam making the cut quite comfortably.

“If this lad was Virat Kohli, everyone would be talking about it but because it is Babar Azam, no one is talking about it,” said Hussain.

“They keep going on about the ‘Fab Four [Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and England captain Joe Root] –  it’s the ‘Fab Five’ and Babar Azam is in that.”

After a long delay caused by rain, England were forced to bowl their spinners towards the end with light fading out.

Earlier on, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan were in an uncomfortable position after they lost Abid Ali and Azhar Ali in quick succession.

Abid was removed via a sharp in-dipper from Jofra Archer while Azhar Ali was rapped on the front pad by Chris Woakes. Surprisingly, Pakistan captain decided to go for a review but the hawk-eye showed all three reds.

Masood and Azam then remained very calculated in their approach but Babar then took the attack in second session to put the hosts under pressure.

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