Pakistan created history at Galle International Stadium with their second-most successful run chase in Test cricket. Abdullah Shafique led the historic run chase with a resilient unbeaten knock of 160 off 408 deliveries. While ‘Bazball’ approach has been in trend of late, Pakistan took the conservative approach in the run chase and etched their name in cricket history books.
Chasing 342, Shafique led the charge with Imam-ul-Haq on Day 4. The two openers shared an 87-run partnership. The southpaw scored 35 runs off 73 deliveries. Veteran Azhar Ali failed to contribute and scored just six runs as in-form Prabath Jayasuriya struck with the old ball. Skipper Babar Azam and Shafique shared a 101-run partnership for the third wicket. Jayasuriya also broke the third-wicket partnership.
From overnight score of 222/3, the partnership between wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Shafique practically batted their way out of the game. However, Jayasuriya struck again to put pressure on the visitors. Rizwan missed his half-century and got out leg before wicket for a 40-run score.
Two more wickets of Agha Salman and Hasan Ali pushed Pakistan on the back foot but Shafique kept his calm and marched on. Mohammad Nawaz provided the much-needed support as Shafique closed the game from the other end. Rain played spoilsport for a while when Pakistan needed 11 more runs to win. However, it stopped in a while and Pakistan won the match by four wickets in the second session.
Three dropped catches of Shafique turned out to be too expensive for the hosts. The Pakistan opener became the fifth batter in the history of Test cricket to face 400 or more deliveries in the fourth innings.
“I am happy that we were able to chase. Congratulations to the entire team for this record chase. Our plan was simple. We had to go get the runs. It was difficult but with time it was easier. Spinners with the new ball were slightly tough to play. Babar is one of the best in the world. We have learnt so much from him. I enjoyed batting with him in the middle,” Shafique said after his exceptional performance.
Earlier, Sri Lanka got all out for 222 in the first innings. Dinesh Chandimal top-scored for the hosts whereas Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 4/58. Pakistan could not take the lead either as skipper Babar fought the lone battle with 119-run knock to help his team post 218. In the third innings, Oshada Fernando's 64, Kusal Mendis' 76 and Chandimal's unbeaten 94 helped Sri Lanka set a target of 342 despite Nawaz's fifer.
“First innings we did well with the ball. I should thank the tailenders for the support they gave me, especially Naseem Shah. We know how to play spin so we believed. Me and Abdullah were just trying to build a partnership. As a youngster he is showing a lot of class. Really pleasing to see him perform well,” Azam said after chasing down the highest score at the venue.
