Pakistan took control of the 1st test against Sri Lanka being played ay Galle. The Babar Azam led side were all out for 461 with an over lead of 149. The Sri Lankans went back unscathed after having lost no wickets to end day 3 of the contest. The day belonged to Saud Shakeel who scored his maiden double century in test cricket. The two match test series marks the start of the WTC’s latest cycle for both the teams.
Samarawickrama and Abrar Ahmed’s mid-pitch antics leaves everyone in splits –
Abrar Ahmed came out to bat at number 11 and had already hit a four and a six. Towards the end of the day the right arm leg spinner came down the track and used his leg to defend the ball.
That’s when the ball got stuck in his pads and Sri Lanka spinner Samarawickrama chased the Pakistani spinner. The ball popped out of Abrar Ahmed’s pads as Samarawickrama picked the ball, Ahmed made a mad dash to reach his crease in a bid to avoid the run out. This gave everyone a huge laugh at the antics they had seen towards the end of the day.
Saud Shakeel scored his first double ton –
Pakistan scored 461 to take a lead of 149 thanks to a maiden double century from Saud Shakeel. The 27 year old left hander was not out on 208 which is his best score in test cricket. His knock came off 361 balls with the help of 19 fours as he helped his team reach a respectable total. Saud Shakeel came into bat when Shan Masood was out for 39. Shakeel saw captain Babar Azam fall for 13 and former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed out for 17 to leave the Pakistanis at 101/5.
Sri Lankan spinners keep the home team in the hunt –
Ramesh Mendis picked yet another 5 wicket wicket haul as he ended with figures of 5/136 from his 42.3 overs. Prabath Jayasuriya picked 3 wickets, which included Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha picked a wicket each for the home side.
Funniest Moment Today With Abrar Ahmad 🤣😂. #PAKvsSL #PAKvSL #SLvPAK #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/IjHPsWqGoo
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) July 18, 2023
Thank you Abrar Ahmed for this 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/P24AjCKTU7
— SUMMI ⁵⁶🕊 || BA56𓃵 STAN || Madhiazzzz Day 🎂 (@itss_Sumii) July 18, 2023
Abrar Ahmed Fun 😀 Pak Vs Sri Test Match #PAKvsSL #ShaheenAfridi #Accidente #ComingSoonOnTikTok #abrarahmed #Saudshakeel pic.twitter.com/NaVKouD9Vv
— Tabi Says (@MuhammadTa25198) July 18, 2023
Babar Azam enjoying Abrar Ahmed's hilarious moment on the pitch.🎉🎉🎉#BabarAzam𓃵 #KatrinaKaif #SeharKhan #fairytale #ComingSoonOnTikTok #HamzaSohail #BabarAzam #SLvPAK #PAKvsSL #PAKvSL #SLvsPAK #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/ZohluBoKkg
— rs rs❤️ (@rs7680113rs) July 18, 2023
Saud Shakeel might have scored a double ton but the moment of the day belongs to Abrar Ahmed.
— Harris Gondal (@dontharrisme) July 18, 2023
The Spirit of Cricket ft. Abrar Ahmed and Sadeera Samarawickrama 😅
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) July 18, 2023