According to Information, Abdullah Shafique scored an incredible 160 not out as Pakistan overcame Sri Lanka by four wickets in a tense first Test on Wednesday in Galle, chasing down a record score of 342. In the final play session of day five, Shafique scored the winning runs to give his team a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Prabath Jayasuriya, a left-arm spinner, claimed nine wickets in the game, but Pakistan outperformed Sri Lanka’s previous record chase of 268 against New Zealand in Galle in 2019.
Shafique, 22, impressed with his second Test century. He formed significant partnerships, such as a 101-run third-wicket stand with captain Babar Azam, who scored 55 after scoring 119 in the first innings on a challenging pitch.
Stats also show that Shafique broke his previous Test record of 136 not out after surviving three dropped catches at the scores of 70, 135 and 151.
Jayasuriya claimed the important wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam at the end of fourth Day’s play. Pakistan resumed the day on 222-3 and Sri Lanka soon used up their remaining two reviews, with Jayasuriya involved in both calls.
Mohammad Rizwan started the day with a Four off Ramesh Mendis over and maintained his confidence by taking singles and twos before being bowled for 40 by Jayasuriya. Following that again, Jayasuriya struck at the start of lunch to dismiss rookie Salman Ali Agha for 12, “Pakistan experienced a brief period of worry”.
After being moved up the order to bat out the last few runs, Hasan Ali was bowled out for five in the second over of the second session on the last day of the first test.
After a brief weather delay stopped their charge, Shafique eventually teamed up with Mohammad Nawaz, who was still undefeated, to send the guests home. Before returning for the third day’s play, the teams enjoyed early tea.
Jayasuriya kept up the pressure, but Shafique resisted. Jayasuriya grabbed 12 wickets on his debut in a series-leveling Test victory over Australia last week at the same location, six in each innings.
When Sri Lanka’s second innings with a total of 337 was completed, Dinesh Chandimal continued his dazzling form by scoring an undefeated 94, his second consecutive half-century, before running out of partners.
Due to the political upheaval in Sri Lanka, the second Test was moved from Colombo and will begin on Sunday in Galle as well.
image credit : cric tracker
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