After winning the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Pakistan made sure that they were also winning the second game, registering a 2-0 clean sweep. The visitors firmed their grip with an incredible double century from opener Abdullah Shafique.
Earlier, it was Saud Shakeel who scored a double century in the first game, now it is Shafique. Sri Lanka had nothing in their control in the second game. After batting first, they were bowled out for just 166 runs in 48.4 overs. Abrar Ahmed took 4/69 for Pakistan.
Then, in reply, the visitors showed a brilliant batting performance. Despite the fact that the second day was washed out due to rain, Pakistan has taken a massive first-inning lead of 397 runs. They ended Day 3 at 563/5 in 132 overs, scoring at a rate of well over 4. Shafique made his maiden double century before getting out to Prabath Jayasuriya.
The left-hander made 201 off 326, with 19 fours and four sixes. At the end of the third day, Agha Salman is batting at 132 off 148, while Mohammad Rizwan is 37 not out. Shan Masood (51) and Saud Shakeel (57) also scored a half-century each.
Though the day belongs to Abdullah Shafique for his maiden double century but it was Saud Shakeel who created a world record. The 27-year-old registered his name in the record books and became the first ever batsman to make a 50-plus score in his first seven games.
Saud Shakeel is the first batter in 146 years history of Test history to score a 50 in each of the first 7 Test matches. #SLvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 26, 2023
In the 146-year history of Test cricket, no batter has achieved this feat before. Shakeel has played seven tests and scored 875 runs in 13 innings at an average of 87.50, including two centuries and six half-centuries. He has not gotten out below the 20-run mark so far. Since his debut, he has registered scores of 37, 76, 63, 94, 23, 53, 22, 55*, 125*, 32, 208*, 30, and 57, respectively.
Though he has played all these tests in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he has made an impressive start to his test career. But he has a great chance to become Pakistan’s fastest batter to 1,000 test runs. Saeed Ahmed holds this record, having done it in 20 innings. Meanwhile, Shakeel has played only 13 innings and needs 125 runs to complete 1000 test runs.
