Shan Masood Gets a Special Jersey After Century Heroics [Video]

Pakistan’s Test captain, Shan Masood surpassed 2,000 Test runs during a commanding 151-run innings on Day 1 of the first Test against England in Multan.

To commemorate this achievement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) honored Shan Masood with a special jersey inscribed with “Shan 2000” at a team dinner following the day’s play.

Masood’s milestone comes amid intense scrutiny and pressure from the local media, and his performance has effectively silenced critics while reaffirming his vital role as team captain. He became the 34th Pakistani to achieve the 2,000 Test-run mark, reaching this milestone in his 36th Test and 67th innings, with an average of 30.35. His innings of 151 marked his fifth Test century and his second against England.

Notably, this was his first century in the format after a gap of 1,524 days, with his last hundred scored in Manchester in 2020.

Demonstrating a blend of patience and aggression, Shan Masood reached his century in just 102 balls, making it the second-fastest century by a Pakistan captain in Tests, second only to Misbah-ul-Haq. He joins an elite group of Pakistani captains, including Inzamam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, who have scored Test centuries against England on home soil.

Masood’s innings was pivotal, featuring a crucial partnership with opener Abdullah Shafique. He struck 13 fours and two sixes, dominating the England bowlers and laying a strong foundation for Pakistan in the series opener. Although Jack Leach eventually curtailed his innings, Masood’s performance provided significant momentum for the home side in this eagerly anticipated contest.

During the team dinner, Pakistan’s Test team coach, Jason Gillespie, praised Masood’s milestone and the team’s efforts on the opening day. Gillespie’s address highlighted Masood’s leadership’s importance and his innings’ positive impact on the team’s morale and strategy moving forward in the series.