"Abdullah Shafique is another great in the making" - Netizens react to Pakistan's historic run-chase against Sri Lanka in Test series opener
Pakistan secured a thumping 4-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their Test series opener on Wednesday (July 20) at Galle. The side registered their second-highest successful run-chase in Test cricket as they chased down the target of 342 on Day 5 of the fixture.
Opening batter Abdullah Shafique starred with the bat for Pakistan in the final innings with his unbeaten knock of 160. Skipper Babar Azam also contributed significantly with 55 crucial runs while Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with 40 runs during the run-chase.
Notably, Pakistan are the first team to chase down a total in excess of 300 in the fourth innings at the Galle International Stadium. The visitors have now attained a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
Netizens lauded the Pakistani team for chasing down a stiff target in the opening encounter of the red-ball rubber. Here are some of the reactions:
This #teamPakistan had to overcome a statistical Everest to prove the world wrong at Galle and they did !! Great run chase. Congrats @babarazam258 .And Pakistan may have found the next batting superstar in Abdullah Shafique @imabd28 . So calm and organised and classy.
What a victory by Pakistan team! … such victories accelerate your progress and will transform this unit into a formidable one… one that will have the confidence to achieve the toughest of targets.. GO up, up and UP Pakistan team! #PAKvSL
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150+ in a chase at Galle! In just his sixth test. Wow!!
Well played Abdullah Shafique👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
What a win for Pakistan!!
#SRIvsPAK #SriLanka #Cricket
#CongratulationsPakistan🇵🇰🎊
Historical victory for Pakistan against Sri Lanka🎉
Sprb batting by #Babar_Azam in both innings but 1st one is magical.
Now talk about the new talented batsman #Abdullah_Shafiq superb run chase by him what an amazing 160+ runs he scored in 2nd inning.
@TheRealPCB A big round of applaouse for our Boys! Congatulations Pakistan! 👍👌👊✌💚💚💚
Gotta know that Pakistan has successfully chased down the target against Sri Lanka. This is big win for Pakistan as everyone knew that Lankan's spinners are very lethal. It would also help Pak in WTC table.
Abdullah Shafique is another great in the making.
#SLvsPAK | #WTC23
Pakistan Impressive Triumph over Sri Lanka's.🥳
@ICC Beating srilanka in srilanka is not easy pakistan did amazing job one of the strongest test side imo
Under your captaincy, 
@ICC Very very proud of you Babar Azam❤️ Under your captaincy, 🇵🇰 is performing exceptionally well and will continue to do so.👍
#KingBabar #SLvPAK https://t.co/R56FbImwZf
@ICC We fought against the conditions
Fought against the spin
Fought against the rain
Fought against the score board pressure
Fought against the history
What. A. WIN ❤️
@ICC ALHAMDULILLAH..!!!!
A treasured knock byAbdullah Shafique 👏
#SLvPAK https://t.co/ff6mgDYcPh
@ICC Nice history making victory by Pakistan well played in galle pitch in rank turner this is something special win congrats to them for great victory well played shafique & babar azam well bowled pak spinner nawaz & yasir shah
@ICC wow doesn't get bettet than this 4th innings deteriorating pitch. a hell of a chase. don't often u see a mammoth last innings chase >200 on asian dust bowls. this is test cricket u hang in there u fight and u win. well played pakistan.
@ICC Well done pakistan for a incredible win you maintain the beauty of Test cricket 🏏
For Sri Lanka, senior batter Dinesh Chandimal started with the bat in both innings. He impressed with his knocks of 76 and 94* in the game. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bagged nine wickets in the contest.
Their heroics were in vain as the hosts ultimately suffered a heartbreaking loss in the clash. Things could have been different if Kasun Rajitha had managed to hold on to Abdullah Shafique's catch when Pakistan were 19 runs behind the target.
2nd Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan moved to Galle
The two cricketing nations are slated to battle it out in the second and final Test of the series from July 24. The contest was originally scheduled to be played in Colombo.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to shift the match to Galle due to logistical issues amidst the political unrest in the country. The series decider between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will now be played at the Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2022 squads
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam Ul Haq, Muhammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah.