Pakistan batter Saud Shakeel stole the limelight on Day 3 of th🔯e ongoing Galle Test against Sri Lanka with a b🦩reathtaking double century. His exceptional performance not only rescued the visitors from a preꦑcarious position but also placed them firmly in control of the match.
With Pakistan struggling at 101 for 5, Shakeel stepped up to the challenge and showcased immense resilience and skill. He forged a crucial 177-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Agha Salman, who himself played a brilliant innings, contributing 83 runs to the team’s total.
Even after Salman’s departure, Shakeel continued to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers, forming crucial partnerships with the lower-order batsmen. With an unwavering determination, he etched his name in the history books as the 12th Pakistani batter to achieve an away double-century in Test cricket.
By the time Shakeel finished his remarkable innings, he remained unbeaten on a sensational 208 runs, leaving the Sri Lankan bowlers frustrated and exhausted. His performance propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 461 runs in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings score of 312.
In the second innings, Sri Lanka managed to score 14 runs without losing any wickets by the end of the day’s play. However, with the monumental lead of 149 runs, Pakistan holds a commanding position in the match heading into the fourth day.
As news of Shakeel’s exceptional innings spread, cricket fans and experts took to Twitter to express their awe and admiration. Social media platforms were flooded with tweets hailing Shakeel’s masterful display of batting, with many commending his composure, technique, and ability to counter the Sri Lankan bowling attack.
With two more days remaining in the Test match, the focus now shifts to how Pakistan’s bowlers can exploit their advantage and secure a victory.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
DOUBLE HUNDRED FOR SAUD SHAKEEL!!!
What a knock, away from home, Pakistan 73/4, trailing by𝓀 239 runs &♈; he smashed a brilliant double ton at Galle.
One to remember in Pakistan Test history.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Saud Shakeel scores a double century in Sri Lanka, 🌼becoming the firstꦗ Pakistani to do it in history.
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)
//twitter.com/itss_Sumii/st🍌atus/1681211275240407042
You're looking at the only Pakistan batter to score a double century in Tests in Sri Lanka. Take a bow, Saud Shakeel 🔥🔥🔥
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
/🧔/twitter.com/BA🐟56FOREVERr/status/1681279758095757312
Babar Azam truly enjoyed ♌the double hundred of Saud S💙hakeel.
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_)
What A Player!
What an Innings!
1st Pakistani batter to score a double hundred at no.5 🤩❤
Take a bow Saud Shakeel 🙌— Hira³⁹ 🌼 🇵🇰 (@Hira_PCT)
//꧅twitter.com/Sports_Himanshu/꧂status/1681281513722372097
//twitter.com/asad_qure🎃ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚshi257/status/1681274826764476422
First Pakistani Batter t✃o Score a Double Hundred at Number Five. Take a bow, Saud Shakeel. He is Averaging 97.88 in Test Cricket Ma Sha Allah, appreciated by the Captain and Co💯🔥.
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial)
Sri Lankan players appreciati🐈ng Saud ⭕Shakeel for his marvellous knock of 208* | |
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_)
Saud Shakeel supremacy
— X (@MemeLad007)