It was a very concerning moment for the Pakistan team management and the Pakistani fans when Imam-ul-Haq smashed a straight drive straight into the back of non-striker and his skipper, Shan Masood, on Day 2 of the ongoing Pakistan vs Australia Test in Perth.
In Pakistan’s first innings on Day 2 at the Optus Stadium, Imam-ul-Haq was batting cautiously and steadily with very few attacking shots. However, when he was on 27 runs in 113 balls, it was a sudden rush of blood from Imam-ul-Haq when he attacked Nathan Lyon, targetting the straight boundary.
Imam-ul-Haq connected his shot decently, however, placed it right into the body of non-striker Shan Masood. With very little time to react, Masood turned his back toward the incoming ball that was struck hard by Imam. It hit Masood on his upper back, and even though the batters quickly took a single after the ball deflection off Masood’s back, the Pakistani captain then screamed in pain. The Pakistani team physio came out and applied pain relief spray on Masood’s back to allay the pain.
Check out the video of this incident here:
Video: Imam-ul-Haq strikes a straight drive straight into Shan Masood’s back; see Masood’s reaction
Shan ko ball lag gya 115 ke speed mein 😂😂🤣#AUSvsPAK #shan #imam pic.twitter.com/2WNjar3ubv
— Ali Dost (@AliDost77757765) December 15, 2023
Meanwhile, Imam-Ul-Haq was solid with his defense along with opening partner Abdullah Shafique, and Pakistan have kept themselves alive in the Perth Test.
Pakistan had a rare good day of Test cricket in Australia. Pakistan bowled Australia out for 487 after Lunch on Day 2.
In reply, the two Pakistani openers, Shafique and Imam, stonewalled almost everything from the Australian pacers. They played and missed plenty of balls, but had some luck on their side and remained determined.
The openers put a partnership of 74 runs in 218 balls before Shafique got out. Captain Shan Masood then cracked 30 runs in 43 balls before being dismissed by Starc late in the day, while Imam held his end.
Pakistan ended Day 2 with 132/2, trailing by 355 runs with Imam not out on 38 runs in 136 balls. Khurram Shahzad came in as a nightwatchman instead of Babar Azam at number 4 and survived till the end of the day.
