Shafique hits maiden double ton in 2nd Test against Sri Lanka

On day three of the second match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique hit his maiden Test double century, putting the tourists in command.

Shafique, who started the day on 87, achieved 200 with a single off Asitha Fernando in the final session, taking off his helmet and pointing to his name on the back of his jersey in Colombo.

The 23-year-old, who has 19 fours and four sixes this innings, is in his 14th Test since making his debut against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2021.

In response to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 166, Pakistan’s lead has surpassed 290.

Sri Lankan spinners labored before pace spearhead Asitha Fernando dismissed Saud Shakeel for 57, his third wicket of the match.

Fernando came around the wicket to bowl left-handed Shakeel lbw, putting an end to a 109-run partnership with Shafique.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicketkeeper-batsman, made 14 before retiring hurt after feeling dizzy, most likely due to a knock on his helmet from Fernando’s first ball.

Pakistan resumed on 178-2 in response to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 166, with the day’s play starting on time after Tuesday’s downpours limited the action to only 10 overs.

Shafique began the day on 87 and struck two consecutive boundaries off Fernando before completing his century with a single, earning him a standing ovation from the dressing room.

Skipper Babar Azam advanced from his overnight 28 to 39 before being trapped lbw off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, with the judgment maintained following review by the third umpire.

Jayasuriya, who bowled unchanged from one end in the opening session, dismissed Azam for the sixth time in Test cricket.