Abdullah Shafique has scored a magnificent double century against Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the 2nd Test being played between Pakistan vs Sri Lanka at SSC Colombo. Pakistan dominated the day as only 3 wickets fell in the entire day’s play. Pakistan couldn’t get the chance to play much on Day-2 as almost the entire day was affected by rain.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test – Day 3 – First Session
Pakistan resumed their innings on Day 3 from yesterday’s score of 178-2. In early stages of first session, Abdullah Shafique got to his 100 and scored his 4th Test century. It is Abdullah’s 14th Test only. Pakistan was able to add 39 runs on Day 3 when their second wicket fell. Babar Azam was trapped with an arm ball again by Prabath Jayasuriya, where he immediately challenged this decision. However, replays showed he was plumbed in front of stumps. Babar departed for 39 after adding 89 runs with Abdullah Shafique for the 3rd wicket partnership.
Babar has now been dismissed 6 times by Prabath Jayasuriya in Test cricket which is the joint-most dismissals along with Josh Hazelwood. Next on the list is Nathon Lyon with 5 dismissals.
Next man in was the in-form Saud Shakeel, who continued to display his class in this match as well. Both batsmen batted beautifully and didn’t let a wicket fell till lunch. Pakistan was 273-3 leading by 107 runs at lunch.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test – Day 3 – Second Session
Straight after lunch, Abdullah Shafique reached to 150 which is his 2nd 150+ score in Test cricket. Both batsmen kept on adding runs with ease where Pakistan reached the 300 mark in its 78th over of innings. Soon after, Abdullah and Saud completed their 100-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Saud also scored beautifully and scored another fifty continuing his remarkable form. However, Saud was dismissed shortly after scoring 57 when he got out lbw to Fernando. Pakistan was now 319-4.
Next man in was Sarfaraz Ahmad who was struck on the helmet on the very first ball he faced. He was checked for concussion, but he continued his innings. But this blow to his helmet was serious as he later felt concussion. He was retired hurt and was replaced by Muhammad Rizwan as concussion-substitute.
Salman Ali Agha came to bat who didn’t waste any time and took on Sri Lankan bowlers. Abdullah Shafique kept batting beautifully with some delightful strokes and crossed his previous highest score of 160*, which he scored against the same opposition last year at Galle when Pakistan was chasing 340+. Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha survived 2 reviews, but no other wicket fell for Pakistan in this session. Pakistan was 397-4 leading by 231 runs at Tea.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – 2nd Test – Day 3 – Third Session
In the last session of the day, Pakistan continued to dominate, and Salman Ali Agha reached yet another fifty of just 62 balls.
Abdullah Shafique’s first double century
Abdullah Shafique reached his first double hundred after pulling down the ball off Fernando to fine leg. He celebrated by pointing towards his shirt’s number 57. He received a standing ovation from the dug out. It is Abdullah’s first double hundred in Test cricket. Abdullah departed soon after when he tried to change gears of his innings. He came down the track and tried to loft the ball over long-off, but it went high which was taken by Madushanka off Jayasuriya. Abdullah departed for 201. His innings included 19 x 4s and 4 x 6s. Pakistan was now 468-5.
Muhammad Rizwan joined Agha Salman in the middle looking to accelerate the innings.
Salman Ali Agha scored his 2nd Test century
After Abdullah’s dismissal, it was Salman Ali Agha’s show who kept Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure. He survived yet another review which makes it 3 reviews in one day. Pakistan completed its 500 runs soon after.
Agha Salman’s show was on full display as he reached his 2nd Test century off just 123 balls. Salman is currently playing his 9th Test match. Salman played with a very healthy strike rate during this innings.
Soon after, Pakistan completed their 550 runs. At this point, Umpire checked for bad light, but play was continued. However, just after a while, Play was called off due to bad light. Pakistan was 563-5 with a massive lead of 397 at the end of Day 3. Salman (132*) and Rizwan (37*) were unbeaten at the crease where both have added 95 runs so far for the 6th wicket partnership. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowler who took 3 wickets and Prabath Jayasuriya took 2 wickets in this innings so far.
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Records of the day
Pakistani players made a few records in just 1 day’s play which are listed below.
Abdullah Shafique
- 3rd youngest Pakistani to score a double ton in Test cricket after Javed Miandad and Hanif Muhammad.
- 2nd Pakistani batsman to score a double ton in Sri lanka.
- 1st visiting opener to score a double ton at SSC Colombo.
- 7th Pakistani opener to score a double ton away from home.
Saud Shakeel
- 1st batsman in the history of Test cricket to score 7 fifties in his first 7 Test matches.
Pakistan’s 563 is the highest score by a visiting team in the last 5 years in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will be happy with their today’s performance who are in a commanding position at the end of Day 3. Pakistan might declare their innings overnight as they have taken a massive lead of 397 runs. Sri Lanka will have to bat extremely well to avoid defeat in this match and their fans will also be praying for rain to wash out for the remaining days of the Test match. However, Cricket is beautiful game where anything can happen.
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FAQs
- How did Abdullah Shafique perform on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, and what milestones did he achieve during his innings?
– Abdullah Shafique scored a double century on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka. It was his first double century in Test cricket, and he reached this milestone by scoring 201 runs. This achievement makes him the third youngest Pakistani to score a double century in Test cricket, after Javed Miandad and Hanif Muhammad.
- What was the overall performance of Pakistan’s cricket team on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, and what was their lead by the end of the day?
– Pakistan’s cricket team had a dominant performance on Day 3 of the 2nd Test, with Abdullah Shafique scoring a double century and Salman Ali Agha reaching a century. By the end of the day, Pakistan had a substantial lead of 397 runs, with a total score of 563-5.
- Which Pakistani batsman achieved a unique record during the innings, and what was the record?
– Saud Shakeel achieved a unique record during the innings. He became the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to score seven fifties in his first seven Test matches.
- What records did Abdullah Shafique’s double century set during the match, and how did he celebrate this achievement?
– Abdullah Shafique’s double century set several records, including being the second Pakistani batsman to score a double century in Sri Lanka and the first visiting opener to score a double century at SSC Colombo. He celebrated his achievement by pointing towards his shirt’s number, which is 57.
- How did Pakistan’s performance on Day 3 affect their position in the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, and what challenges might Sri Lanka face in the remaining days of the match?
– Pakistan’s strong performance on Day 3 put them in a commanding position in the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka. With a lead of 397 runs by the end of the day, Pakistan is likely to consider declaring their innings. Sri Lanka will have to bat exceptionally well to avoid defeat, and their fans might also hope for rain to disrupt the match. The outcome remains uncertain, as cricket is a game with unpredictable twists.
