RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq scored a magnificent century on his return to put the home side into the commanding position against Australia on the first day of the Rawalpindi Test, here on Friday.

Pakistan finished the first day of the Rawalpindi Test on a high; scoring 245/1 at the end of the first day. Imam, alongside Azhar, added 64 runs in the final session and extended their partnership to 140.

Imam, who last played a Test match in late 2019, scored a magnificent half-century on his return. He scored an unbeaten 132 off 271 balls; smashing 15 boundaries and two sixes.

His partner, Azhar, on the other hand, batted sensibly and scored a terrific half-century. The right-handed batter is currently unbeaten for 64. The southpaw faced 165 deliveries and hit five boundaries including a six in the course of his brilliant knock.

The two batters will now resume the proceedings for Pakistan at 245-1 on the second day of the first Test.

After opting to bat first in the historic Rawalpindi Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, Pakistani openers Imam and Abdullah provided a solid start to the home side; putting on an astonishing 105-runs partnership.

Abdullah Shafique, who was looking in top-notch remained unlucky as the right-handed batter missed on his well-deserved half-century after attempting to hit Nathan Lyon for a six on 44. He faced 105 deliveries in the course of his innings with the help of three boundaries and a six.

For Australia, only Lyon managed to make one scalp, while the rest of the Aussie bowlers went wicketless on the opening day.

PLAYING XIs

PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

AUSTRALIA: Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood