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KARACHI: Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel struck another fifty on Wednesday, becoming the first batter in Test cricket history to register a half-century in each of his first seven outings.
The elegant hitter accomplished the feat during the second Sri Lanka Test, which was held at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
Previously, Sunil Gavaskar of India, Saeed Ahmed of Pakistan, Basil Butcher of the West Indies, and Bert Sutcliffe of New Zealand all struck half-centuries in their first six Tests.
Shakeel was also named Player of the Match in the first Test, which Pakistan won by four wickets in Galle last week, after scoring 208 not out in the first innings.
In addition, he is only the second Pakistani hitter to score a double century in his first Test match away from home.
Report of the match
Pakistan resumed their batting on day three with a 12-run lead at 178-2.
The visitors were 319-3 with a 153-run lead when this story was filed. Opener Abdullah Shafique maintained his superb form and had passed the 150-run mark.
Due to the heavy rain on the second day, only 10 overs of play were possible.
On Monday, Pakistan defeated the hosts in two sessions for 166 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.
Sri Lanka failed to impress with the bat after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
Sri Lanka’s top order was battered by Naseem Shah (3-41) and Shaheen Afridi (1-44) as the hosts fell to 36-4.
Dhananjaya de Silva led the way for Sri Lanka with 57 points, while only two other teammates reached double figures.
Pakistan’s fielding performance continued as Shan Masood ran out opener Nishan Madushka and tailender Prabath Jayasuriya with direct throws.
When Pakistan batted, they scored at a rapid pace.
Masood miscued a draw shot, giving Asitha Fernando his second wicket.
Imam-ul-Haq scored six runs before being caught at gully, but Shafique added a 108-run partnership with Masood (51) to keep the visitors in command.
Masood miscued a draw shot, giving Asitha Fernando his second wicket.
