Pakistan is in firm control of the 2nd and final test match during their short tour of Sri Lanka. The visitors had won the first test at Galle to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The focus moved to the 2nd test which was to be played at The SSC in Colombo. Pakistan due to their 1st test win and India’s draw against West Indies at Port of Spain had moved to top of the table in the World Test Championships.
The story so far –
After bowling out Sri Lanka for 166, the Pakistanis had already taken control of the game at the end of the 1st day. The play on day 2 was curtailed as rain played spoilsport to deny action for most of the day. The Pakistanis came into bat with 2 wickets down on day 3 with a lead of 12.
Babar Azam finds new way to score runs –
Pakistan captain Babar Azam hasn’t been in the thick of run scoring form during the series. While the 28 year old has gotten starts, he hasn’t been able to nail the big one so far. Azam, is known for scoring beautifully timed boundaries, but his one shot has now left everyone stunned.
Babar Azam was facing off against Ashita Fernando, the Sri Lankan pacer bowled an harmless ball outside off stump. Babar Azam was trying to shoulder arms to the ball, but got a bottom edge as the ball raced to the boundary for a four. This left the bowler totally frustrated as Babar Azam got a lucky boundary to his name.
Babar Azam comes up with another unique shot 🔥#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/oE352pQLSH
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 25, 2023
Abdullah Shafique puts Pakistan in firm control –
Opener Abdullah Shafique scored his first test double ton as Pakistan had taken a massive lead on day 3 of the 2nd test at Colombo. Shafique had faced 317 balls as he had hit 19 fours and 4 sixes in his knock. He was given decent support by the other Pakistani batters. After the fall of Imam-Ul – Haq for 6, Shan Masood struck 51 off 47 balls with 4 fours and a six.
Babar Azam was out for 39 being dismissed by Jayasuriya. Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed was retired hurt for 14. Double centurion from the last game, Saud Shakeel was out for 57 off 110 balls, while Salman Agha not out on 60 with 6 fours and a six.