Shafique and Salman pummel Sri Lanka, Pakistan eye series sweep

26.07.2023 - 13:32 channelnewsasia.com

COLOMBO : Opener Abdullah Shafique struck his maiden double hundred and Agha Salman smashed a rapid 132 not out as Pakistan looked poised for a 2-0 series sweep after thoroughly dominating the second test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.Having bundled out Sri Lanka for 166, Pakistan racked up 563-5 on day three and the lead of 397 makes it unlikely they would need to bat again at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.Salman's 148-ball blitz included 15 fours and a six.Mohammad Rizwan was batting on 37 at the other end after replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed, who suffered concussion after being hit on the back of his helmet while trying to duck under a bouncer from Asitha Fernando.That was the only setback for Pakistan on a day when their batters toyed with the Sri Lankan attack after resuming on 178-2.Skipper Babar Azam (39) could not convert the start he got but Shafique took a single off Fernando to bring up his fourth test hundred.Shafique forged a 109-run stand with Saud Shakeel (57) as Pakistan's lead continued to swell.After Shakeel fell and Sarfaraz retired hurt, Shafique and Salman combined in a 124-run partnership to effectively bat Sri Lanka out of the contest.Shafique took a single off Fernando to reach the 200-mark but soon fell to spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.Shafique's 201 contained 19 fours and four sixes.Pakistan won the opening test in Galle by four wickets.

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Pakistan enjoyed a good day in the field against Sri Lanka on the third day of the second Test in Colombo. Opener Abdullah Shafique's maiden double century and an unbeaten 132 by Agha Salman put Pakistan in the box seat. The tourists reached 563-5 at stumps, leading Sri Lanka by 397 runs in their first innings at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club. Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan, on 37, were batting in an unbeaten stand of 95 after Shafique's departure on 201.

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Pakistan batter Sarfaraz Ahmed was injured during the second Test against Sri Lanka after being struck on the head by a bouncer on Wednesday and was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan. Ahmed suffered the blow in the second session of the third day from a bouncer bowled by Asitha Fernando. He is under the observation of the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical panel, according to ICC. The wicketkeeper-batter was facing his first ball of the innings and was trying to duck the bouncer when he was hit on the back of the head.