As Pakistan chased 342 to win the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Ramiz Raja praised the win, saying they “were wrong about the world”. The Pakistan chase was the highest successful chase in the history of the venue. This #teamPakistan had to conquer a stat Everest to prove the world wrong in Galle and they did!! Great chase,” Raja tweeted. He also praised skipper Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, who scored wonderful centuries for Pakistan in the match.
“Congratulations @babarazam258. And Pakistan may have found the next battle superstar in Abdullah Shafique @imabd28. So calm and organized and stylish,” the PCB chief wrote in his tweet.
This one #teamPakistan had to overcome a stat Everest to prove the world wrong in Galle and they did!! Great chase. Congratulations @babarazam258 .And Pakistan may have found the next battle superstar in Abdullah Shafique @imabd28 . So calm and organized and stylish.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 20, 2022
While Babar Azam’s brave 119 allowed Pakistan just a four-run lead in the first innings, Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 in their second essay to lead them home with four wickets left.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and chose to bat, but were bundled up for 222 when Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets.
Prabath Jayasuriya then walked through Pakistan’s batting order, and it was only Babar Azam’s century and Naseem Shah’s challenging 52-ball wake that helped the visitors not to be thrown away for cheap and put 218 on the board.
Considering they were 85/7 at one point, it was a remarkable recovery led by the imperious Pakistani skipper.
However, Sri Lanka came back strong with the bat and seemed to have set a big enough target for Pakistan.
Dinesh Chandimal stranded at 94, while Oshada Fernando (64) and Kusal Mendis (76) hit half a century when they were ejected for 337.
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Pakistan’s chase was led by Shafique, who swung to the point and hit the winning points, while Babar Azam again played a crucial 55-point knockout. Mohammad Rizwan also chipped in with a crucial innings of 40 runs.
Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the series. They will now face each other in the second Test in Colombo.
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