GALLE: Various records tumbled during the recently-concluded first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka as the visitors defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets on the back of an astounding unbeaten 160-run knock of right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique.
As Pakistan displayed sheer dominance over the Sri Lankan bowling attack in the fourth inning; chasing their second-highest ever total in the history of Test cricket. The Green Shirts have registered several records from their incredible victory.
Pakistan's second-highest successful run-chase in Tests ✅
A remarkable win to take a 1️⃣-0️⃣ lead in the series 👏#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/n5B4iFJmZf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 20, 2022
Pakistan’s successful 342-run chase against Sri Lanka in the first Test is the highest chase by any team at Galle. The previous highest successful fourth-innings chase here was 268 by Sri Lanka versus New Zealand in 2019.
Boys after conquering the Galle fort – the highest ever chase at Sri Lanka’s most successful Test venue. pic.twitter.com/O3853sQ58o
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 20, 2022
Pakistan’s hero of the Galle Test Abdullah, who displayed brilliance with his outstanding knock of 160* and guided the touring side to a historic victory also tumbled various records, as the right-handed batter become the first Pakistan batter to score a century at Galle in the fourth inning.
Only three batters, before today, had scored a century in fourth innings at Galle. Abdullah is the first Pakistan batter to do so. And, also, he now has the most runs in first six Tests for Pakistan.
Setting some wild batting standards! #Believe and #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/CQYXmpTBq1
— Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (@ahsannagi) July 19, 2022
The 22-year-old opener has also scored the most Test runs for Pakistan after six matches, having scored 685 runs at an average of 76.11, leaving behind the legendary batter Javed Miandad, who scored 652.
Abdullah Shafique is some elite company. #SLvPak pic.twitter.com/1IGDGhwtqD
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 20, 2022
Furthermore, following his gritty knock of 160*, Abdullah has also become the first batter in Test history to bat over 500 minutes in a successful run chase as his match-winning knock saw him staying at the crease for a mammoth 524 runs.
Abdullah Shafique is the first batsman in Test history to bat 500+ minutes in a successful chase. He stayed on the wicket for 524 mins. #SLvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 20, 2022
Whereas, Abdullah’s 160 is also the third-highest individual score by a Pakistan batter in the fourth inning of a Test.
Besides Abdullah, Pakistan captain Babar Azam touched another milestone completing 10,000 international runs across all formats to become the fastest Asian batter to reach the landmark.
🚨 MILESTONE ALERT 🚨
Babar Azam completes 10000 runs in international cricket 🇵🇰🏏
He becomes the fastest Asian batter to achieve the milestone 🔥#BabarAzam𓃵 #SLvPAK #CricketTwitter #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/4c3q6hvS4V
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) July 17, 2022
On the opening day of the Galle Test, the Pakistan captain also became the fifth-fastest batter to mark 10,000 runs in international cricket in the record 228 innings, surpassing India’s Virat Kohli and Australia’s Steve Smith as both took 232 innings to achieve the feat.
The right-handed batter is also the quickest Pakistan batter to the 10,000 runs mark, leaving behind legendary batter Miandad, who achieved the milestone in 248 innings.
👑 @babarazam258 on 🔝
Phenomenal consistency across formats 💪#SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/oWVrS0rjh4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 17, 2022
READ: Pakistan climb to third spot in Test Championship after Galle Test win