Galle, July 19: Abdullah Shafique’s spirited unbeaten century kept Pakistan’s run chase on track in the first Test against Sri Lanka despite losing the wicket of skipper Babar Azam’s wicket in the final hour of engrossing fourth day at Galle International Stadium, here on Tuesday.Pakistan were 222/3 at stumps on Day 4, still needing 120 runs to overhaul the target with Shafique (112 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (7 not out) at crease. Beginning the fourth day, the hosts were able to add just eight runs to their overnight total, with Naseem Shah rattling the off stump of No 11 Prabath Jayasuriya to bowl out Sri Lanka for 337 in their second innings. Jayasuriya’s wicket meant that Dinesh Chandimal was left stranded in the 90s. He was the highest scorer in the second innings, finishing on 94 not out with five fours and two sixes.
As a result, Sri Lanka set Pakistan a target of 342, a total no side has successfully chased at Galle. Chasing a challenging total, Abdullah Shafique survived a close lbw review in the fourth over despite the ball projection hitting the leg-stump when the ball-tracker showed it was an umpire’s call. His opening partner Imam-ul-Haq also survived an lbw review in the next over. With luck on their side, the openers soon completed a half-century stand, going to lunch at 68/0. Shafique was solid from the beginning, batting with intent and took the attack to the bowlers.
Shafique continued in the same vein after Imam departed early in the second session. As a result, Shafique spent a short time with Azhar Ali (6) before finding the perfect partner in Babar Azam. Babar began his innings with a crunching on-drive, clubbed Jayasuriya for a maximum two overs later, and continued to rotate the strike effectively.
With 147/2 on board, the partnership was approaching fifty by tea.
It took only a few years for the duo to reach milestones, with Babar Azam scoring his 22nd Test half-century and going over 3000 Test runs. As the second-wicket stand crossed 100, Shafique also completed his second Test century. Babar was eventually bowled on 55 by Jayasuriya, breaking the crucial stand. Pakistan’s innings will be resumed on the last day after Shafique and Rizwan negotiate the last few overs.
In a brief summary, Sri Lanka 222 and 337 (Dinesh Chandimal 94 not out, Kusal Mendis 76; Mohammad Nawaz 5-88) lead Pakistan 218 and 222/3 (Abdullah Shafique 112 not out; Prabath Jayasuriya 2-89) by 119 runs.