‘Pakistan ka Sangakkara hai yeh’ – Fans react as Saud Shakeel scores magnificent double century in 1st SL vs PAK Test

Pakistan middle order batter Saud Shakeel set the stage on fire in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. He scored a brilliant double century to rescue Pakistan from 73/4 to achieving a first-innings lead of 149 runs. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. They put up 312 riding on Dhananjaya de Silva’s 122 off 214 and Angelo Mathews’ 64 off 109.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Naseem Shah returned with three wickets each, while the remaining wicket was scalped by Salman Ali Agha. In reply, Pakistan did not enjoy an ideal start. They kept losing regular wickets and were reduced to 101/5 inside 21 overs. It seemed as if Pakistan would concede a huge first-innings lead to the hosts. However, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha had slightly different ideas.

Pakistan enjoy a first-innings lead of 149 runs

They stitched a solid 177 runs partnership as Ali Agha missed out on a well-deserved century by 17 runs. He scored 83 off 113 balls, including nine fours and a maximum. At the same time, Saud Shakeel went on to survive the entire innings as he remained unbeaten at 208 off 361 balls. Pakistan put up 461, gaining a crucial first-innings lead of 149 runs.

Talking of Sri Lanka’s bowling, Ramesh Mendis remained the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5/136. Prabath Jayasuriya followed him with figures of 3/145. Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha scalped one wicket each as Sri Lanka face a mammoth job in front of them. They need to chase down Pakistan’s lead and then bat long enough to set the visitors a competitive total. They’ll need much more effort from the top order that was completely missing in the first innings.

The two teams will contest in another Test after this. The series decider will be played at the Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo between July 24 and 28. This is the first series for both teams in the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/i_virat_kohli/status/1681274558517596161

https://twitter.com/Freakvillliers/status/1681274422756515840

https://twitter.com/MessixBabar00/status/1681274187116052481

https://twitter.com/MessixBabar00/status/1681274409884045313