Pakistani batters surprised the world with their jaw-dropping performance as they played with an impressive strike rate during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Monday.
Pakistan did not have a great start to their inning as they lost the left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq in the second over.
The 27-year-old fell prey to Asitha Fernando just after scoring six runs.
However, the setback could not harm Pakistan’s determination as Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood went to play fast cricket showcasing their attacking prowess to the world.
According to renowned statistician Mazher Arshad, the Pakistani team took an unconventional approach during their practice where if a batsman play three balls, he would be considered out.
“Pakistan had this rule in the team camp before the Sri Lanka series that anyone who bats three dots in a row will be out. As a result, we are seeing high scoring rates. Pakistan also didn’t bat any maiden over today. #ThePakistanWay,” Mazher wrote in his tweet.
It has to be said that Pakistan’s unorthodox approach not only helped them play better but it also helped them get into a promising position in the second Test.
Men in Green proved that they are not messing around this time when the team reached 100 runs in their first inning in just 16.4 overs, scoring their fastest team hundred in the 21st century.
Pakistan did not even play a single maiden over which, on tricky wickets of Sri Lanka, is a very difficult thing to do.
Abdullah completed his fifty in just 49 balls while Shan reached his half-century in just 44 balls, doing it at a strike rate of over 100.
The two batters also had a 108-run stand off 117 balls, making a statement that Pakistan has eyes on the World Test Championship (WTC) final this time.
Day one ended with Babar (8*) and Abdullah (74*) on the crease with Pakistan scoring 145-2 in 28.3 overs.
Pakistan can get into a very dominating position if they continue to play with the same intent.
Earlier in the first inning, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah rattled Sri Lanka by taking four and three wickets respectively on day one as they were bowled out for 166 in the first innings.