Along with Agha Salman‘s unbeaten 132, Pakistan took management of the match, ending the day at 563-5 of their first innings at Sinhalese Sports Club, main Sri Lanka by a large 397 runs.
Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan have been holding sturdy on the crease, with a formidable partnership of 95 runs, after Shafique’s dismissal at 201. Salman performed aggressively, reflecting Pakistan’s new method on this sequence, and reached his second Test century with a boundary.
Shafique led the exceptional response to Sri Lanka’s first innings complete of 166, forging three century partnerships, together with a 124-run stand with Salman for the sixth wicket.
During the ultimate session of the day, Shafique introduced up his 200 with a single off Asitha Fernando. He celebrated the milestone by taking off his helmet and pointing to his title on the again of his jersey.
However, his exceptional innings got here to an finish as he was caught out at deep mid-off by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Earlier within the day, Jayasuriya had additionally dismissed Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, who scored 39.
Asitha Fernando had a formidable spell, selecting up three wickets, together with reducing brief Saud Shakeel’s innings on 57 within the afternoon session. Fernando dismissed Shakeel lbw, ending his 109-run partnership with Shafique.
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicketkeeper-batter, made 14 runs however needed to retire damage because of dizziness, probably attributable to a blow he obtained on his helmet from Fernando’s first ball. Consequently, he was substituted by Rizwan.
Overall, it was a dominant day for Pakistan, with Shafique’s excellent double century and Salman’s strong century placing them in a commanding place within the match.
Shafique handed 150 for the second time towards 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.
Shafique began cautiously however quickly hit two successive boundaries off Fernando earlier than a single received his hundred.
Azam added 11 to his in a single day 28 earlier than being trapped lbw, with the choice upheld by the third umpire after assessment.
It was the sixth time Azam had been dismissed in Test cricket by Jayasuriya, who bowled unchanged from one finish within the first session.
Pakistan gained the primary Test within the two-match sequence by 4 wickets.
(With AFP inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com