Pak vs SL: Saud Shakeel’s double hundred puts Green Shirts on top in Tests

geourdunews July 18, 2023 in Sports News - 2 Minutes

Saud Shakeel (left) of Pakistan celebrates after scoring a double century (200 runs) on the third day of the 1st Cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 18, 2023. - AFP — Saud Shakeel (left) of Pakistan celebrates after scoring a double century (200 runs) on the third day of the 1st Cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 18, 2023. – AFP

On the third day, Pakistan has increased its lead against Sri Lanka to 149 runs.

The hosts ended the day on 14 December without a loss after bad light halted the rain-affected day.

Sri Lanka trail Pakistan by 135 runs in their second innings.

GAUL: Saud Shakeel scored his maiden double hundred in Tests as Pakistan extended their lead to 149 against Sri Lanka on the third day of the rain-affected opening match on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka bowled out the tourists for 461 in the final session after a disappointing ninth-wicket partnership of 94 between Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on 208, and Naseem Shah, who scored six off 78 balls.

The 27-year-old Shakeel, playing only his sixth Test, got a standing ovation when he hit Dhananjay de Silva for a four to complete his double century.

After another rain-affected stoppage due to bad light, the hosts ended the day 14 without loss. Sri Lanka still trail Pakistan by 135 runs in their second innings.

Nishan Madushka was batting on eight and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne on six at the end of the game.

The Sri Lankan bowlers, led by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis who took five wickets, bounced back in the second session but Shakeel stitched a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Noman Ali down the order. 25.

But it was his 177-run partnership with Agha Salman, who made 83, that saw Pakistan return to 101–5 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 312.

Shakeel was dismissed twice for 93 and 139 as he went past his previous best of 125 not out.

Shakeel and Salman both scored at a brisk pace and hit regular boundaries but the run rate dropped after Salman’s departure.

The start of the day was delayed due to rain, which affected play on the previous two days, forcing the officials to re-adjust the timing of the session.