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Pakistan (218 & 342/6) defeat Sri Lanka (222 & 337) to win the 1st Test by 4 wickets

Brilliant win for Pakistan !

One of our greatest ever Test chases. Incredible knock from Abdullah Shafique.
 
Special player… looks like our top order is sorted. Even Imam has improved. Babar is obviously the best batsman in the world and now Shafique is showing what he is made of. We need improved selections for the middle order though. Salman for Sharjeel/Masood. They need to be given a run of games to show their worth.
 
And that, my friends, is why Numbers 7 and 8 need to be able to bat as well as bowl!
 
Brilliant run chase and win. To Say we did it carrying to lead weights is Azhar and Agha.
 
Wow. Amazing performance.
We now up to 4 world class players in the 11. Just need to find 3 more in the next couple of years!!
 
What a performance. WTC final dream still alive and kicking. Star-making turn for Abdullah Shafique

We are also the first team to chase four 300+ totals in Asia.
 
FYGVpyxWAAETwr-
 
ATG performance by Abdullah shafique.
What a find this guy has been.
Best u-23 batsman in the world.
 
Well done Pakistan and well done Shafique. A 4th innings match winning effort. Take a bow son and ignore those who think it would have better to score 20(11)
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
What a performance. WTC final dream still alive and kicking. Star-making turn for Abdullah Shafique

We are also the first team to chase four 300+ totals in Asia.
Click to expand...


That's a brilliant record.

I only remember the other one against Sri Lanka in 2015(?) when Younis scored 150+. What are the other two instances?
 
Great win. Oz just got beat there showing if your are not on top of your game, this SL team can jump on you.

I wonder if worldwide results are seeing a permanent shift in chasing mentality in Tests here- not just _method_ as in Bazball vs build a platform but in beliefe and pressure dynamics?
 
Take a bow Shafique. He actually saw it through!

Nawaz is a good find for us. He has adequately shown his value here.

Babar's 1st innings masterclass is what set it up.

Let's not forget Shaheen's admirable effort too who nullified the skipper's wrong selections.
 
MoM should be Babar, not taking credit from young Abdullah but Babar rescued us in 1st innings, otherwise the match would have finished 2 days back.
 
Azhar ali needs to take a leaf out of Stokes book. He has already achieved alot with his limited abilities. With talent like Saud and karman waiting in wings it’s pretty embarrassing for him to keep occupying that slot. He should simply walk away while he is still respected .
 
as-95 said:
Special player… looks like our top order is sorted. Even Imam has improved. Babar is obviously the best batsman in the world and now Shafique is showing what he is made of. We need improved selections for the middle order though. Salman for Sharjeel/Masood. They need to be given a run of games to show their worth.
Click to expand...

Sharjeel ? I hope it is a typo.
 
This has been an authentic death by a thousand little cuts.

I feel for SL and especially Jayasuriya. He's been all over Pakistan from the get go!
 
Maliq_Mudasir said:
MoM should be Babar, not taking credit from young Abdullah but Babar rescued us in 1st innings, otherwise the match would have finished 2 days back.
Click to expand...

As an innings, Babar's was far tougher. But Abdullah deserves MOM for being there to actually see it through.
 
Mesozoic said:
That's a brilliant record.

I only remember the other one against Sri Lanka in 2015(?) when Younis scored 150+. What are the other two instances?
Click to expand...

- The infamous 'maghrib chase' in Sharjah, also against Sri Lanka in 2014
- The one wicket win over Australia in Karachi, 1994: another famous Pakistan win
 
Dimuth Karunaratne | Sri Lanka captain: I think if we put more runs in the first innings we could have put more pressure on Pakistan. But we batted well in the second innings. With the ball we could not support Prabath from the other end. We had to give him more support. Naseem supported Babar really well. The pitch went a bit flat at that point, but as a bowling unit we need to give more support to Prabath. He is capable of bowling a lot of overs. He did a great job. He bowled good areas despite bowling 30-35 overs. Playing 100 Test matches is a remarkable thing. We want to give Angelo a memorable game. We will try our best and correct the mistakes.

Abdullah Shafique | Player of the Match: I am happy that we were able to chase. Congratulations to the entire team for this record chase. Our plan was simple. We had to go get the runs. It was difficult but with time it was easier. Spinners with the new ball was slightly tough to play. Babar is one of the best in the world. We have learnt so much from him. I enjoyed batting with him in the middle.
Spare a thought for Prabath Jayasuriya. Bloke had to take all the pressure of bowling his side to victory in just his second Test match. Sri Lanka know they left Jayasuriya alone. There was hardly enough support from the other end when Jayasuriya was toiling away. Theekshana's injury to the index finger on his bowling hand didn't help. And Ramesh Mendis spraying the ball around surely didn't help either. Their lengths, their lines, their lines of attack on occasions, their fields offering easy singles were questionable. Full credit to Shafique and Pakistan for making this look a flat pitch when there was enough assistance left even in the closing stages of the game.
 
When Mamoon ruthlessly hates a player ie "his technique is more for show than dough" , you know that the player is going to be a special player for Pakistan.
 
Abdullah Shafique is the player of the match: "I'm quite happy that we chased the target on the last day. Plan was simple that we have to go for the runs. The pitch was difficult but as you spent more time, it got easier. When the spinners were bowling with the new ball, they were getting help"

Its good some of out batsmen were positive accept Azhar and Agha.
 
[MENTION=5200]Majestic_Inzi[/MENTION] where you at now bud?

"We don't have the batting depth to win this match"

"Game is Over"
 
Rana said:
Babar’s best win as Test captain
Click to expand...

Babar Azam: I am thankful to the tailenders Yasir Shah and Naseem Shah to have helped me in the first innings. When I was batting with Abdullah Shafique we were just trying to build a partnership. He has shown his class.
 
AS will get man of the match but I think Babar’s first innings hundred deserves the MOTM award
 
Markhor said:
If we can eventually add Huraira in a couple of year's time, our top order future looks very exciting.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Just need some pacers to stand up to Shaheen’s level across the formats (There is potential) and atleast one young quality spinner to come.
 
Babar’s innings in the first innings and contribution of Nadeem Shah gave us a chance to even have a chance in winning the match.

Abdullah Shafiq - ice cold player, just look at the eye cold look he gives when he raises his bat in the air after scoring 50/100. The guy plays with composure and elegance. He has adapted so quickly and it is absolutely crucial we develop him the right way. Star boy.

I remember 4-5 years ago a poster on PP was hyping him when he was a rookie - can’t remember his name - may have been his agent or cousin but shout out to him as well. The streets won’t forget.
 
Pakistan's remarkable victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle has seen a major reshuffle within the top five on the World Test Championship standings.

Babar Azam's side successfully chased down 342 runs to complete an extraordinary four-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 20 July, and in the process boosted their chances of appearing in next year's World Test Championship final.

The win sees Pakistan jump in front of Sri Lanka and into third place on the World Test Championship standings with a win-loss percentage of 58.33 percent, with only South Africa (71.43%) and Australia (70%) now ahead of the Asian side.

The news isn't as good for Sri Lanka, who drop three places to sixth on the standings with a 48.15 win-loss percentage.

As a result, India improve one spot to fourth (52.08%) and West Indies rise to fifth (50%) ahead of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle next week.

A win there will see Pakistan make further ground on South Africa and Australia at the top of the standings, while a loss will see Babar's side drop back to fifth.

Conversely, Sri Lanka can regain third place on the standings if they can recover quickly, fight back and level the series by winning the second Test.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2684125

dWypn7x.png
 
For a side as derided as Pakistan is, especially by its fans fact is Pakistan have now won 8 of their last 12 tests, which includes 2 draws as well.

And had the curators been allowed to do their job the win column would have been even longer.
 
Savak said:
When Mamoon ruthlessly hates a player ie "his technique is more for show than dough" , you know that the player is going to be a special player for Pakistan.
Click to expand...
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] goes off the grid when he is proven wrong like this. He did the same when Tim David started performing for Mumbai Indians and when Naseem Shah bowled that fiery spell against Oz where he picked up the wicket of Steve Smith aswell
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] goes off the grid when he is proven wrong like this. He did the same when Tim David started performing for Mumbai Indians and when Naseem Shah bowled that fiery spell against Oz where he picked up the wicket of Steve Smith aswell
Click to expand...
Shameful
 
Excellent win. Abdullah is one of the best Pakistani openers I've seen in 20 years since saeed retired. Just having two solid guys up top makes soo much of a difference..but I'm worried about our one down position. I think it's time we give shan a chance here. Especially in Asia.
We need rizwan at 6. Get fawad back for the next match...

I would also like to say that the Babar innings is one one the best by a Pakistani since the days of inzi yusuf and younis..really top class..

Finally ignore the naysayers and the cultists..they are trolls..don't feed them especially their king..
 
RedwoodOriginal said:
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] goes off the grid when he is proven wrong like this. He did the same when Tim David started performing for Mumbai Indians and when Naseem Shah bowled that fiery spell against Oz where he picked up the wicket of Steve Smith aswell
Click to expand...

Be sure that he is always reading everything so keep reminding him of how great his cricket insight is.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamPakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#teamPakistan</a> had to overcome a statistical Everest to prove the world wrong at Galle and they did !! Great run chase. Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@babarazam258</a> .And Pakistan may have found the next batting superstar in Abdullah Shafique <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imabd28</a> . So calm and organised and classy.</p>— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) <a href="https://twitter.com/iramizraja/status/1549690208467275777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
This is an epic achievement considering our batting and long tail in this test (whose brilliant idea was that?)

Test batting looks thin (Imam, Abdullah, Babar and Rizwan). Don’t have much faith in the rest of the batters. Need to include one more specialist batsman at least. Azhar Ali needs to retire now. Did not do anything of note in the recent series vs Australia either

No other country has managed to successfully chase down 300 + in the 4th innings in Sri Lanka. Australia were recently bundled out for 150 in the 4th innings of the second test. (However they won the first test and the series was drawn 1-1)

Epic knock by Abdullah Shafiq (160*) in only his 6th test match

Well played the team!
 
Abdullah Shafique starred with a sensational 160* as he guided Pakistan to a record victory over Sri Lanka in Galle.

Pakistan resumed Day 5 on 222/3, requiring 120 runs to record the highest successful run chase (in Tests) at the Galle International Stadium while Sri Lanka needed seven wickets. The first half an hour of action was filled with a few close calls, beautiful bowling and the hosts losing both of their remaining reviews.

First, a slider from Prabath Jayasuriya struck centurion Abdullah Shafique on the back-pad, with umpire Kumar Dharmasena signalling the bowler about the height. However, with the game at a crucial stage and Shafique's prized wicket at stake, Sri Lanka went for the review. Shafique survived the LBW scare after the replays showed the ball had bounced over and was missing the wickets.

A few overs later, Jayasuriya once again bowled a beauty – drifting the ball in and using the bounce to spin it away. Mohammad Rizwan attempted a forward defence and the ball looked very close to the bat. The Sri Lanka contingent appealed, sounding positive for a caught-behind dismissal but the umpire was unperturbed. Sri Lanka used their last review, but the UltraEdge showed a flatline with no sign of the ball coming in contact with the bat. Rizwan survived; Sri Lanka were left stranded with no reviews.

Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan shared a 71-run standAbdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan shared a 71-run stand
A record chase in Tests at Galle

The previous highest successful fourth-innings chase in Galle was 268 by Sri Lanka versus New Zealand in 2019. This was the first time a team completed a target of over 300 at the venue.

Set batter Shafique found a reliable partner in Rizwan as they both batted with caution, taking their side close to victory. In the first hour, they added 48 runs, with only 72 more needed.

Jayasuriya finally claimed a wicket when he had Rizwan trapped in front. Pakistan reviewed the decision but it went Sri Lanka's way, with Rizwan walking back for a solid 74-ball 40. The spinner struck on the stroke of lunch with Agha Salman's scalp as Pakistan finished the morning session on 298/5. The visitors lost another wicket shortly after the break, with Hasan Ali getting caught in the deep.

But victory was on the cards for Pakistan, and Shafique with his sensational 160* – his highest innings score in Tests – made sure to bat through till the end to help his side seal a record chase. With the knock, Shafique climbed to No.4 on the all-time list of most runs scored after six Test matches. His 718 runs puts him behind Sunil Gavaskar (912), Sir Don Bradman (862) and George Headley (730).

Highest successful run chase in Tests at Galle:

Year Target Team Opposition
2022 342 Pakistan Sri Lanka
2019 268 Sri Lanka New Zealand
2021 164 England Sri Lanka
2014 99 Sri Lanka Pakistan
2010 95 Sri Lanka India

Changes to the World Test Championship standings

Before the start of this Test, Sri Lanka with 54.17 percentage points were third on the list only behind table-toppers South Africa, and Australia while Pakistan were fourth, with 52.38 percentage points.

After the historic victory, Pakistan soared to the No.3 spot with 58.33% points. The loss resulted in Sri Lanka not only losing their No.3 spot but also slipping three positions to No.6, below Pakistan, India (52.08%) and West Indies (50%).

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2684049
 
Excellent win, what’s the chances of us getting into the test championship final?
 
Sterling chase, fantastic win Pak! :)

We are truly seeing a shift in Test cricket with regards to pitch deterioration (or lack thereof) and the viability of fourth innings run chases.

Makes games less dependent on the toss, less formulaic, less predictable, and more exciting.

Good for Pak and good for Test cricket.
 
What a champion player shafique is. Reminds me of Anwar a little but with lesser aggression. Technique wise he is so compact. Tenacious cricketer. Lovely to watch. Brilliant stuff.
 
The winning moments

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/nz6gbk" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Awesome <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imabd28</a> innings … we have seen such a wonderful knock after a long time, especially in the fourth innings and the way the pitch was playing. He took his full turn and that’s under tremendous pressure… one of the best from a Pakistani I have ever seen… take a bow !</p>— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) <a href="https://twitter.com/wasimakramlive/status/1549708160302256129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Rajdeep said:
Good win but only against Srilanka..so meh.

With respect, but does runs against SL really count?

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]
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Sure SL are no giant these days.

But the Oz series just showed that they (and any) team is still strong at home and if you slip at all, they are good enough to pounce. Good win. Should be glad the batting stood up and a new opener has emerged.
 
Runs against SL definitely count, particularly in SL and especially at a Test match in Galle, which is known for its late game minefield pitches and the ball turning square.
 
Wow Abdullah what an epic performance and what a chase for Pakistan.

For a team that has been woeful batting wise since MisYou retirement, this was fantastic to see and hopefully its a batting unit that is finally coming into their own. Imam/Abdullah/Rizwan are still fairly inexperienced in the amount of Test matches played meanwhile, Babar has finally come into his own as a fantastic Test batsmen after early struggles in his career.

They still require more batting depth but I think we are starting to see some of the pieces assembled with a great opening batsmen + middle order batsmn & a good wicketkeeper batsmen. Surrounding pieces to round out the batting unit are still required but this is a positive step forward.

I do hope despite this win, they do not go back to the suicidal 3 pacers in the attach next match. Fawad or Saud should come into the batting side for Salman as well.
 
Wow what a win!

Two days ago was thinking there is no way we chase 350s and picturing our usual suspects with the "we deserve humiliation" posts.

Great fightback! Great batting!
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Memorable win in Galle. <a href="https://twitter.com/imabd28?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imabd28</a> kya baat hai yar. What an inning full of grit, determination & never say die attitude.</p>— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1549724943411286017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Great victory.... Congratulations to everyone..
Need to sort out the team selection...
 
Babar Azam

"As a captain, you feel proud after such an achievement but the credit for this win goes to the whole team"

"Unfortunately we could not muster a good partnership in the first innings but credit must go the opposition for their good bowling where they took wickets early and when you have back to back fall of wickets then there is pressure on the team"

"At that time, our tail really helped us out; I would like to thank both Yasir Shah and Naseem Shah for not helping me score but also helped to put up runs for the team as well"

"Abdullah played with focus and patience and these qualities are needed for playing in Tests; On a track which was a little tricky to play on, its important to remain calm and believe in yourself, and to trust your game then automatically performances will follow"

"I as a captain felt very proud about Abdullah's innings because I know that I have a player who at such a young age is able to play in such conditions, and I am sure his confidence level would have gone up after this innings"

"We put the belief in our team to say that why should we give up in such tough situations, why not step up"

"These things take time but our guys are taking on the challenges"

"I would like to make a special mention of Mohammad Nawaz as he was playing after 6 years but took 5 wickets in the second innigs and helped change the game in our favour"

"Also Yasir Shah's comeback was good and he bowled well"

"Whenever we win, it gives us a lot of confidence; We will try and enjoy the moment but will try to double our efforts"


Abdullah Shafique

"Personal milestones take a backseat when the main goal is to help the team win this game; We played well as a team and especially in the first innings we had a century from Babar Azam which put us in a position to win this game"

"This is a team game and every put in their bit in the last innings"

"This was my natural style of play and I didn't have to change too much as that is how I have been playing from before"
 
Last edited:
This wicket was a landmine.
Dunno how in the world Pakistan managed it with such a fragile batting line but WOW !!! What a victory.
 
Pakistan need to do their homework on Jayasuriya, i dont have issues with him getting wickets with his big turning left arm spinners but they should atleast work on tackling his arm ball atleast and figure out how to take the lbw out of the equation.
 
The three highest (300 plus) successful run chases against Sri Lanka in Tests are all by Pakistan

377 (Pallekele in 2015)

342 (Galle in 2022)

302 (Sharjah in 2014)
 
Next best is 264 by India in Kandy in 2001
 
Babar Azam in post game remarks

"As a youngster, when you prove yourself and perform in tough conditions and difficult tracks, then it's good," Azam told reporters.

"His confidence was high after performing against Australia so he was on a different level. And to perform against quality bowling, your confidence goes up higher."

"The way he plays, so clean and with his focus, he will get many, many more such knocks"

"I hope that he becomes one of the best openers in the world."

About his own 100:

"It was kind of special because the team needed it"

"It was one of the best hundreds in Test matches (for me) because it was difficult. To play with tailenders you need double concentration to guide them and watch yourself as well. And I am happy that I did that"
 
the Great Khan said:
Excellent win. Abdullah is one of the best Pakistani openers I've seen in 20 years since saeed retired. Just having two solid guys up top makes soo much of a difference..but I'm worried about our one down position. I think it's time we give shan a chance here. Especially in Asia.
We need rizwan at 6. Get fawad back for the next match...

I would also like to say that the Babar innings is one one the best by a Pakistani since the days of inzi yusuf and younis..really top class..

Finally ignore the naysayers and the cultists..they are trolls..don't feed them especially their king..
Click to expand...

You don't need to worry becouse if it was me I would ask Babar to bat at 3
 
World class Innings the best 4th innings I have seen in asain conditions.

Pakistan need to bring in Fawad Alam instead of Salman Agha.
 
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