Pakistan asserted their dominance in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle as Saud Shakeel’s remarkable maiden double-century, combined with an exceptional rearguard action by the lower-order batsmen, inflicted a severe psychological blow on the hosts. As play concluded on the third day, Pakistan had taken an iron grip of the match after being dismissed for 461, securing a first-innings lead of 149 runs.
Resuming their innings at an overnight score of 221 for five, Pakistan’s stand-in captain, Saud Shakeel, demonstrated exceptional composure and skill as he remained unbeaten on 208 when the innings concluded. His unbeaten knock made him the first Pakistani batsman to score a double-century in Sri Lanka. Saud reached his second career century in Test cricket from 129 balls and went on to reach the double-century milestone from 352 balls, eventually facing 361 deliveries during his six-hour stay at the crease.
Salman Ali Agha, who had been batting alongside Saud at the start of the day, fell agonizingly short of a century, being dismissed for 83. Salman played a brilliantly constructed innings, scoring his runs from 113 balls at a strike rate of 73.45. The pair shared a remarkable partnership of 177 runs for the sixth wicket in just 218 balls, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious position.
After Salman’s departure, Saud found another reliable ally in Noman Ali (25) as they added 52 runs from 104 balls. Although partnerships with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah yielded fewer runs, it was Saud’s ninth-wicket partnership of 94 runs with Naseem Shah that demoralized the Sri Lankan team both mentally and physically. Saud dominated the stand, scoring 70 of the 94 runs, while Naseem admirably supported his senior partner by facing 78 balls for his six runs.
Saud’s heroic double-century not only propelled Pakistan to a commanding position but also exposed the limitations of Sri Lanka’s frontline spinners. Prabath Jayasuriya conceded 145 runs without taking any wickets, while Ramesh Mendis claimed five wickets but at the cost of 136 runs. The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain Saud’s aggressive stroke play, leaving the hosts uncertain about their bowling options and field placements.
https://twitter.com/Mussanaf/status/1681542442103848962
With a lead of 149 runs, two days remaining in the Test match, and the pitch showing signs of wear and tear, Pakistan holds a significant advantage. The Sri Lankan batters will face a daunting task to salvage the Test, while the Pakistani bowlers will be eager to capitalize on their team’s strong position.
https://twitter.com/Mussanaf/status/1681250967868833792
Most runs for Pakistan at Galle@SaudShak 182* (2023)@YounusK75 177 (2014)@imabd28 160* (2022)
Asad Shafiq 131 (2015)
Saeed A 123 (2000)@babarazam258 119 (2022)
Younis K 116 (2000)@Inzamam08 112 (2000)@yousaf1788 112 (2000)@wasimakramlive 100 (2000)@SarfarazA_54 96 (2015) pic.twitter.com/LXTMhi2dDR— Rai M. Azlan (@Mussanaf) July 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/Mussanaf/status/1681260304578281473
First Pakistani to score a double century at Galle✅
Third (non-Sri Lankan) Asian to score a double century at Galle ✅
Fifth overseas batter to score a double century at Galle ✅One super knock from @SaudShak. #SLvPAK #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/bIb1IMieU1
— Rai M. Azlan (@Mussanaf) July 18, 2023
Scores in brief:
Sri Lanka: 312 all out in 95.2 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 122, Angelo Mathews 64, Sadeera Samarawickrama 36, Dimuth Karunaratne 29; Abrar Ahmed 3-68, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-86, Naseem Shah 3-90, Salman Ali Agha 1-18) and 14-0.
Pakistan: 461 all out in 121.2 overs (Saud Shakeel 208 not out, Salman Ali Agha 83, Shan Masood 39, Noman Ali 25; Ramesh Mendis 5-136, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-145).
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