On the rain-affected third day of the first Test, Saud Shakeel showcased an aggressive batting display, scoring a century and helping Pakistan secure a lead against Sri Lanka. Despite a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield in Galle, the visitors reached 313-6 at lunch, edging one run ahead of Sri Lanka’s first innings total.

Left-handed batsman Shakeel, who began the day on 69, remained unbeaten on 119 at lunch, accompanied by Noman Ali on 13. Shakeel, playing in his sixth Test match, reached his second Test century with a boundary and three runs, forging a crucial partnership of 177 runs with Agha Salman. However, Salman was eventually stumped off-spinner Ramesh Mendis on 83.

This remarkable duo rescued Pakistan from a precarious position of 101-5 on the second day, bravely countering the Sri Lankan spinners led by left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya, who had caused trouble for the visitors on Monday by taking three wickets in the top order, including skipper Babar Azam.

Shakeel and Salman displayed an aggressive approach, scoring runs at a brisk pace and consistently finding boundaries. However, the run rate slowed down after Salman’s dismissal.