Saud Shakeel hit his maiden double century in Tests as Pakistan stretched its result in a dominant 149 towards Sri Lanka on day three of the rain-hit opening match on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka bowled out the vacationers for 461 within the ultimate session after a irritating ninth-wicket stand of 94 between Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on 208, and Naseem Shah, who made six off 78 balls.
The 27-year-old Shakeel, who’s enjoying his sixth Test, dominated as he minimize Dhananjaya de Silva for a boundary to convey up his double century to a standing ovation.
The hosts ended the day on 14 for no loss after dangerous mild stopped one other rain-affected day. Sri Lanka nonetheless trails Pakistan by 135 runs in its second innings.
Follow Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan first Test Day 3
Nishan Madushka, on eight, and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, on six, had been batting at shut of play.
The Sri Lankan bowlers led by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis, who ended with a five-wicket haul, hit again within the second session however Shakeel mixed with the lower-order together with a 52-run seventh-wicket stand with Noman Ali, who made 25.
But it was his 177-run partnership with Agha Salman, who hit 83, that drove Pakistan’s bounce again from 101-5 in its reply to Sri Lanka’s 312.
Shakeel was dropped twice on 93 and 139 as he went previous his earlier better of 125 not out.
Both Shakeel and Salman scored runs briskly and hit common boundaries however the run charge dipped after Salman’s departure.
The day began late attributable to rain, which affected play on the earlier two days, prompting officers to re-adjust the session timings.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com