Saud Shakeel shines as Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka in first Test to lead series 1-0
Pakistan secured a victory over Sri Lanka by four wickets on the final day of the opening Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series in Galle on Thursday, thanks to a remarkable double century by Saud Shakeel in the first innings.
Resuming their run-chase of 131 runs at 48-3, Pakistan saw Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq at the crease. Azam scored 24 runs in 28 balls, including five fours, before being dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya. Shakeel, too, couldn’t hold on and was out after scoring 30 runs in 38 balls.
However, Imam played an impressive knock, remaining unbeaten on 50 runs, including four fours and a six. Agha Salman finished the match with a six on the first ball he faced.
During the final session on the previous day, Jayasuriya claimed two top-order wickets from Pakistan, dismissing Abdullah Shafique (8) and Shan Masood (7). Nightwatchman Nauman Ali was run out attempting a risky second run.
On day four, Sri Lanka was dismissed for 279 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a target of 131 runs to win the match. Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, taking three wickets each. Shaheen Afridi and Agha Salman took two wickets each. Dhananjaya de Silva top-scored for Sri Lanka with 82 runs.
Notably, Saud Shakeel scored his maiden double century in Tests as Pakistan took a 149-run lead against Sri Lanka in the rain-affected opening match. Pakistan’s innings ended at 461 in the final session of day three, with Shakeel unbeaten on 208 and Naseem Shah scoring six off 78 balls in a frustrating ninth-wicket partnership of 94.
Spinner Ramesh Mendis took a five-wicket haul, but Shakeel’s partnerships with tailenders, including a 52-run stand with Nauman Ali (25) and a 177-run partnership with Agha Salman (83), brought Pakistan back into the game after a shaky start at 101-5 in response to Sri Lanka’s 312.
