Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan captain on Test Match Special on BBC Sounds

England have tried bowling length and it hasn't worked. So far the spinners have been flat - there's no remedy in the side.

Jack Leach has largely kept things tight so far but there has been pretty much no variation in terms of flight or pace.

That means Shan Masood knows what's coming and as soon as he sees his chance, he's down quickly to sweep powerfully behind square for four.

Andy Zaltzman
Statistician on Test Match Special

It is Shan Masood's highest score since he made that century at Old Trafford in the first Test in the 2020 series.

He has played 14 Tests since then getting four half-centuries. Two of them against Australia at the MCG last year.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Imperious stroke from Abdullah Shafique.

Image source, Reuters

It's definitely going to be a big test of a pretty inexperienced bowling attack, Simon.

I would just say that Rehan Ahmed only played the third Test in that series, Jack Leach and Will Jacks were the main spin options in the first two.

But yes, reverse swing is sure to be vital. Who knows? Perhaps Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse will prove brilliant exponents of it.

Carse isn't giving the ball much chance to swing at the moment, though, sticking with the bouncer barrage and being pulled superbly to the fence by Abdullah Shafique.

Image source, Reuters

Abdullah Shafique gets his first run of the session as he defends Jack Leach into the covers and scampers through for a single.

One of just two from the over, steady stuff again from Leach but there is precious little for the bowler to work with.

Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan captain on Test Match Special on BBC Sounds

Shan Masood almost had an head start as he knew what was on offer - he was ready for it.

Banged in by Brydon Carse from round the wicket and slapped away through mid-wicket by Shan Masood.

Super shot, nailed to the boundary. It's not going to change England's tactics but it shows again just how placid a pitch this is.

Short stuff at one end, spin at the other as Jack Leach continues into his second over.

Tidy stuff from the left-armer, darting the ball in consistently and conceding just a single.

Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan captain on Test Match Special on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

This is going to be a tough gig for the next hour.

England will pursue this as they're in desperate need of a wicket - Pakistan had a great first session.

The short ploy nearly works for England.

Last ball of the over, another bumper from Brydon Carse and Abdullah Shafique gloves it on the pull.

The ball hangs in the air for a moment but drops short of the fielder at backward square leg.

Two balls, two bouncers to start the session. England have made their intentions clear early.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Pakistan is a tough place to come and we have seen that in the morning session.

It's a long way from a sell out, Colin, but it's probably that bit fuller than it looks.

It's just that those in attendance are largely keeping themselves in the shaded parts of the ground on what is apparently a sweltering day in Multan.

And, I as type that, the players emerge back into that sweltering heat ready for the afternoon session. Brydon Carse will bowl the first over after lunch.

Soham Sarkhel
CricViz analyst

There was only 2.51 degrees of turn in that morning session which is the third-lowest (out of 13 occasions) in the first session of the first day of a Test in Pakistan since the start of 2021.

This pitch currently has a PitchViz rating of 2.1 which is again the third-lowest in the first session of the first day for any Test in Pakistan since the start of 2021. England's previous Test in Multan in 2022 was 2.0 at this stage of the match.

It's certainly been a tough morning for what is a very inexperienced bowling attack outside of England.

Things aren't likely to get any easier in the afternoon session, which is not far away now, so they are really going to have to dig deep.

They may also have to get a bit creative and hope Pakistan's batters give them a helping hand if they are to make further inroads on a very flat surface.

Steven Finn
Former England fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

The pitch doesn't look like it is going to break up. There are cracks there but the amount of grass on the pitch will hold it together. It is worrying times as a bowler if you turn up and see that.