Led by double-centurion Saud Shakeel, Pakistan clawed their way back into the first Test and posted a total of 461 runs in the first innings on Tuesday, July 18. Shakeel became the first batter from his country to score a double hundred in Sri Lanka as the visitors took control of the first Test.
He went on to score an unbeaten 208, his second century in two Tests as Pakistan was all out after tea. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were trailing by 149 runs in the first innings and this was reduced to 135 when it was 14 for no loss by stumps on Day 3.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah played a crucial role in Shakeel's double century as the tailender scored 6 runs off 78 balls during the 94-run partnership with Shakeel for the ninth wicket. Naseem held the fort at one end as Shakeel continued to accumulate runs from the other end. In the process, the left-handed batter reached the double-century mark.
Former Pakistan cricketer Aamir Sohail took a subtle jibe at Naseem while commentating on air during Day 3. The ex-cricketer said that Naseen should focus on developing his batting and brain muscle.
Reacting to fellow commentator Ramiz Raja's "Naseem has no problem developing the batting muscle" remark, Sohail said, "There is another muscle he needs to develop, the brain muscle. He will become a better cricketer and bowler."
Meanwhile, since his debut in December, Shakeel has scored a double hundred, a hundred and five half-centuries. He has an extremely impressive average of 98.50 in six Tests and was the mainstay of Pakistan's innings by stitching valuable partnerships with the lower middle order and the tail after the top order collapsed.
Batting with the tail, Shakeel changed gears, quite content to farm the strike from the tail and the tactic worked. After lunch, Shakeel extended the seventh-wicket stand with Noman Ali to 52 runs. He added a match-defining 94 runs with Naseem Shah for the ninth wicket. Naseem's contribution was just six runs.
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