Abdullah Shafique held his end strong with an unbeaten 160*, which guided Pakistan to their second-highest successful run-chase in Tests, in the series opener against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Galle International Stadium had its twists and turns throughout, and was well placed with the visitors needing a further 120 with seven wickets in hand in their run-chase of 342 at the start of the final day’s play.
Shafique, batting at an overnight 112* had ensured to keep Pakistan ahead in the contest right since the chase had begun the previous day, with an 87-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq (35), followed by a 101-run association with skipper Babar Azam (55).
Mohammed Rizwan survived a few close shaves right at the start of Day 5 against left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, so too did Shafique Sri Lanka reviewed twice, but in vain. The duo extended his solidity at the crease with another steady 71 runs being added, before Rizwan was eventually trapped leg-before by Jayasuriya to become his third victim of the innings.
Jayasuriya then had debutant Agha Salman, while Hasan Ali, who was promoted to No.7 in bid to score quick runs was dismissed by Dhananjaya de Silva after striking a four, leaving Pakistan at 303/6, another 39 away.
Shafique found support in all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, but just as the target was mere 11 away, the Galle weather stepped in to add to Pakistan’s anxiety, with heavy rain and wet outfield calling for over an hour’s halt. That was after Shafique, foreseeing the weather, had attempted a wild hoick off de Silva and was put down by Kasun Rajitha at deep mid-wicket.
As the play resumed, it took the visitors just 2.4 overs to seal the game, with Shafique fittingly hitting the winning boundary. It was the second hundred for the 22-year-old in just his sixth Test, his eight hours, 44 minutes stay at the crease featuring seven fours and a six.
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It was Pakistan’s second highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket, their best coming against the same opponents seven years ago, when Shan Masood and Younis Khan had struck hundreds to secure a seven-wicket win in a chase of 377 in Pallekele. Their successful overhaul of 342 is also the highest at Galle.
Pakistan would have been knocked out of the contest, or way behind, on the second day itself, had Azam not revived his team from a precarious 85/7 in response to Sri Lanka’s first-innings effort of 222.
Babar scored an outstanding 119 featuring 11 fours and two sixes, while adding crucial stands with the lower order, none as significant as that with No. 11 Nassem Shah, who consumed 52 deliveries for his unbeaten 5 in a 30.5-overs long partnership worth 70.
That was after Dinesh Chandimal’s 76 had helped Sri Lanka post 222 on the opening day, with Shaheen Afridi leading Pakistan’s bowling effort with 4/58. Chandimal, who had struck a match-winning unbeaten 206 against Australia at the same venue earlier this month, was left stranded on 96 in the second innings, with Kusal Mendis (76) and Oshada Fernando (64) playing their parts in a 337 run total.
Nawaz was Pakistan’s standout bowler in the second innings with 5/88, while wrist-spinner Yasir Shah returned 3/122, which included a “Ball of the Century” contender to dismiss Mendis.
The second Test will be played at the same venue from July 24.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 222 (Chandimal 76; Afridi 4-58) and 337 (Chandimal 94*, Mendis 76; Nawaz 5-88) lose to Pakistan 218 (Azam 119; Jayasuriya 5-88) and 344/6 (Shafique 160; Jayasuriya 4-135) by four wickets.
