Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq heaped praise on opener Shan Masood after his gutsy hundred pushed the visitors into a commanding position by the end of Day 2 in the ongoing first Test against England in Manchester.

Misbah said Masood has proved his capabilities in those conditions with this knock of 156 out of Pakistan's 326 all out in the first innings. 

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The opening batsman overcame vulnerability outside off that had plagued him on the last trip and played a knock that shall inspire the rest of his teammates.

"It was an excellent performance by him, especially against a seam attack of (Stuart) Broad, (James) Anderson, (Chris) Woakes and (Jofra) Archer, and against an off-spinner (Bess) that was bowling well on a pitch where there was turn," said Misbah after the day's play on Masood's fourth hundred in Test cricket. 

"It was good application and his hard work has paid off. Now he has proved himself here in England, so I'm really pleased, especially as it's not (just) a hundred, (but) a big hundred."

"Still, we would have been in trouble if he only scored a hundred. But hundred-and-fifty plus, and through the innings, that was really special," he added.

Apart from Masood's vindicating effort, half-century from Babar Azam (69) and a valuable 45 by No.7 Shabab Khan propelled the visiting side past the 300-run mark. 

In an opening burst of high quality from either end, Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi (1/12) and Mohammad Abbas (2/24) left the home team reeling, before leg-spinner Yasir Shah (1/36) put further salt into the wounds. At stumps, England found itself 92/4, still trailing Pakistan by 234 runs. 

"I'm so happy - it's crucial for you to take wickets with the new ball especially when the game is like this and you are playing with just 326 runs on the board," said Misbah, hopeful of his team building further inroads early on Day 3 and taking a sizeable lead in the first essay. 

(Inputs from AFP)