NEW DELHI: Abdullah Shafique double ton puts Pakistan: Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique showcased an exceptional performance, scoring his maiden double century on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Along with Agha Salman‘s unbeaten 132, Pakistan took control of the match, finishing the day at 563-5 in their first innings at Sinhalese Sports Club, leading Sri Lanka by a massive 397 runs.

Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan were holding strong at the crease, with an impressive partnership of 95 runs, after Shafique’s dismissal at 201. Salman played aggressively, reflecting Pakistan’s new approach in this series, and reached his second Test century with a boundary.

Shafique led the remarkable response to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 166, forging three century partnerships, including a 124-run stand with Salman for the sixth wicket.

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During the final session of the day, Shafique brought up his 200 with a single off Asitha Fernando. He celebrated the milestone by taking off his helmet and pointing to his name on the back of his jersey.

However, his remarkable innings came to an end as he was caught out at deep mid-off by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Earlier in the day, Jayasuriya had also dismissed Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, who scored 39.
Asitha Fernando had an impressive spell, picking up three wickets, including cutting short Saud Shakeel’s innings on 57 in the afternoon session. Fernando dismissed Shakeel lbw, ending his 109-run partnership with Shafique.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicketkeeper-batter, made 14 runs but had to retire hurt due to dizziness, likely caused by a blow he received 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 outstanding double century and Salman’s solid century putting them in a commanding position in the match.

Shafique passed 150 for the second time against Sri Lanka with a single off Ramesh Mendis, and then went past his previous Test best of 160 not out.

Pakistan resumed on 178-2 after Tuesday’s downpours restricted the action to just 10 overs.
Shafique started cautiously but soon hit two successive boundaries off Fernando before a single got his hundred.
Azam added 11 to his overnight 28 before being trapped lbw, with the decision upheld by the third umpire after review.
It was the sixth time Azam had been dismissed in Test cricket by Jayasuriya, who bowled unchanged from one end in the first session.
Pakistan won the first Test in the two-match series by four wickets.