While the like of Babar and Sarfaraz got starta against prime Minister of Australia XI Masood has only one who made this count.
Shan Masood started his, tour with a century.
Pakistan 324 for 6(Masood 156*, Sarfaraz 41*, Buckingham 3-63 vs prime Minister's XI.
The day before having a first hit-out of the tour Pakistan captain Shan Masood stressed the importance of his, Top order converting start and he took it upon himself to set the standard with an almost faultless century on the opening day against the prime Minister's XI in Canberra.
On a hot day and faced with a, slow pitch, Pakistan made reasonable used of a, chance to bat first but it was, only Masood who fully cashed In as, abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed all departed before making the most of their opportunities. Faheem Ashraf was brilliantly caught at slip by Cameron Bancroft off what become the last ball of the day as Pakistan closed on 324 for 6.
"Shan Masood innings was Perty much flawless. He was brilliantly,"Jordan Buckingham who took three wickets for the prime Minister XI said," The wickets was obviously conducive to batting but still have to get out three and get the runs. For him to bravely give a chance it was an outstanding innings. Think he'll be In for a pretty good summer".
Masood, who recently took over the test captaincy for babar Azam, went to hin hundred from 169 balls shortly after tea, with the Australian prime Minister Anthony Albanese in attendance having returned to the ground following his, brief morning appearance where he handed out cap and contucted the toss.
Masood know the importance of making big runs of his, tour to give a bowling attack a chance to success and wants to learn to lesson of the 2019-2020 when he made score 27,42,19 and 68.
"I got a couple of start but you want to convert those starts in Test cricket and get three figure," he said on Tuesday. "That will be my test, my opportunity. We got used to conditions[2019] very well. Babar got a hundred, [yasir Shah] got a hundred, but there where a lot of fifties from bastman so we want to converting those into matchwinning contributions."
The pitch served up at Manuka Oval, after a lot of recent rain, is likely to bear much resemblance to what Pakistan will face Perth next week. The lack of pace was clear early on when an edge from Shafique did not carry to the slip who were stood reasonably close, while later in the day wickets keeper Jimmy peirson was, stood up to Buckingham and beau Webster with a ring field.
But, still, time in the middle can't be discounted for those who managed decent stints. Imam-ul-Haq couldn't take his first opportunity when he inside-edged a drive off Buckingham, a late replacement for Michael Neser, who started with an excellent wicket maiden to the left hander.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
