Pakistan loved a very good day within the discipline in opposition to Sri Lanka on the third day of the second Test in Colombo. Opener Abdullah Shafique‘s maiden double century and an unbeaten 132 by Agha Salman put Pakistan within the field seat. The vacationers reached 563-5 at stumps, main Sri Lanka by 397 runs of their first innings at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club. Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan, on 37, had been batting in an unbeaten stand of 95 after Shafique’s departure on 201.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam added 11 to his in a single day 28 earlier than being trapped lbw, with the choice upheld by the third umpire after evaluate. It was the sixth time Azam had been dismissed in Test cricket by Jayasuriya, who bowled unchanged from one finish within the first session.

However, Babar additionally performed a marvel shot that has taken the web by storm. During his innings, Babar hit a boundary off Asitha Fernando, that was cheeky to say the least. Azam regarded in twio minds as he flicked to steer the ball via the slips. While many in social media, although it was a fluke, some posted movies that Azam practised the shot throughout observe.

Babar Azam performed that shot deliberately and guided it for 4. Root and Williamson play it too! Babar has mastered it and may play it every time he desires to

Commentators do not observe Babar within the nets and it exhibits, they do not know a factor #SLvPAK https://t.co/4iyVqnmGgH pic.twitter.com/5JRkMb1W5n

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 26, 2023

Talking concerning the recreation, Salman performed attacking cricket to bolster Pakistan’s new aggressive type on this sequence and reached his second Test ton with a boundary.

Shafique led the mammoth reply in response to Sri Lanka’s 166 as he placed on three century stands together with a 124-run sixth-wicket partnership with Salman.

Shafique, who started the day on 87, reached 200 within the closing session with a single off Asitha Fernando, taking off his helmet and pointing to his identify on the again of his jersey.

But he was quickly caught out at deep mid-off by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who additionally had skipper Babar Azam for 39 earlier within the day.

Fernando lower brief Saud Shakeel‘s knock on 57 within the afternoon session to take his wicket tally to 3.

The quick bowler got here across the wicket to lure the left-handed Shakeel lbw and finish a 109-run partnership with Shafique.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed made 14 earlier than he retired harm after feeling dizzy, possible resulting from a blow he obtained on his helmet on the primary ball confronted from Fernando.

He was lastly substituted by Rizwan.

Shafique handed 150 for the second time in opposition to Sri Lanka with a single off Ramesh Mendis, after which went previous his earlier Test better of 160 not out.

Pakistan resumed on 178-2 after Tuesday’s downpours restricted the motion to simply 10 overs.

With AFP inputs