Cricket: Pakistan make strong start against England

Openers Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik starred for Pakistan, as they reached 143-1 after 49 overs on the opening day of the first test against England in Multan.

Fast bowler Andrew Flintoff provided the sole breakthrough in the morning session when he trapped Malik leg-before for 39 - Billy Bowden raising the finger - but only after the opener had helped to give Pakistan a sound start.

Malik shared an 80-run stand with left-handed Butt (62 not out) to ensure Pakistan made the most of winning the toss on a good batting pitch at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Younis Khan was not out on 31.

England, playing their first test series after beating Australia at home in September to win the Ashes after 18 years, were led by Marcus Trescothick in the absence of injured Michael Vaughan, who is still hopeful he will make the second test.

They used five bowlers, including four seamers, in the morning session, but had to wait more than 25 overs for their only success on a track which had little pace and bounce, even on the first morning.

After Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq elected to bat, Butt and Malik took no risks and waited patiently for loose deliveries to punish.

Malik, a middle-order batsman who rarely opens an innings, executed a couple of handsome shots in the first hour. He straight-drove fast bowler Matthew Hoggard early in his innings and then flicked Flintoff for a four.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison was replaced with Flintoff after failing to trouble the Pakistani openers in his tight opening six-over spell.

Butt greeted Flintoff with a firmly-driven four through the covers. He then punished Paul Collingwood, hitting two fours off successive deliveries. Butt has so far struck nine fours in his 165-ball knock.

Vaughan was ruled out of the opening match of the three-test series due to a knee injury. "There is a slight chance I might be fit for the second test, so I am going to give myself the best (shot)," Vaughan said.

- NZPA