Pakistan captain Babar Azam smashed eight fours and four sixes in a fighting 113-ball 88 as Pakistan finished the first day of the three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at 277 for seven at the Colts Cricket Club Ground here.
After Pakistan elected to bat, Babar had to walk in early after the openers were dismissed inside five overs on a moist pitch that had a covering of grass.
Under a heavy cloud cover, the right-hander smashed 134 runs with Azhar Ali, who scored 43 off 119.
The partnership ended with Azhar’s dismissal off Lasith Embuldeniya, who returned two for 83.
Left-handed batter Fawad Alam and Pakistan vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan scored 22 and 31, while Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman were unbeaten on 30 and 43.
SLC XI’s Lakshitha Manasinghe snared three wickets in his 23 overs and gave 83 runs.
To make the most of the match and provide maximum match time to all the players in the squad, Pakistan’s all 18 players will feature in the match.
Pakistan are in Sri Lanka to play the hosts in the two ICC World Test Championship fixtures. The first Test will run from 16-20 July in Galle. For the second Test (24-28 July), the visitors will return to Colombo to play Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
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