Shafique’s 201 puts Pakistan in command against Sri Lanka

Abdullah Shafique celebrates his double century against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AFP

Opener Abdullah Shafique's maiden double century and an unbeaten 132 by Agha Salman put Pakistan in the box seat Wednesday on Day Three of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The tourists reached 563-5 at stumps, leading Sri Lanka by 397 runs in their first innings at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club. Salman and concussion substitute Mohammad Rizwan, on 37, were batting in an unbeaten stand of 95 after Shafique's departure on 201. Salman reached his second Test ton with a boundary.

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Shafique led the mammoth reply in response to Sri Lanka's 166 as he put on three century stands including a 124-run sixth-wicket partnership with Salman. Shafique, who began the day on 87, reached 200 in the final session with a single off Asitha Fernando.

But he was soon caught out at deep mid-off by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who also had skipper Babar Azam for 39 earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed has been replaced by Rizwan as a concussion substitute for the second Test after the former was hit on the head while ducking a bouncer by fast bowler Asitha Fernando on Day Three.

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