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:
Saud Shakeel scores a double century in Sri Lanka, becoming the first Pakistani to do it in history. pic.twitter.com/6j5gCYPuI4
— Nawaz(@Rnawaz31888) July 18, 2023
King appreciated saud Shakeel
What a knock under pressure
Mashallah Mashallah#BabarAzam𓃵 #SaudShakeel pic.twitter.com/SRX0lRgXsL
— SUMMI ⁵⁶🕊 || BA56𓃵 STAN || Bhaiyaa ka Baday(@itss_Sumii) July 18, 2023
You're looking at the only Pakistan batter to score a double century in Tests in Sri Lanka. Take a bow, Saud Shakeel#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/z4Ts4svn7y
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 18, 2023
What A Player!
What an Innings!
1st Pakistani batter to score a double hundred at no.5❤
Take a bow Saud Shakeel#PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/4EvY87I2j7
— Hira³⁹// Hoori Stan
(@Hira_PCT) July 18, 2023
An innings of highest highest quality , a knock for the ages , take a bow SAUD SHAKEEL
— Asad Abdullah (@asad_qureshi257) July 18, 2023
First Pakistani Batter to 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) July 18, 2023
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