Pakistan middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has made a stunning start to his Test career after notching up a double century during the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Shakeel's batting average after Pakistan's first innings is 98.5, which is the highest for anyone to bat more than 10 times in Tests after legendary batter Sir Donald Bradman.
Shakeel, who remained not out on 208, is also only the second Pakistan batter to hit a double ton in his first Test match away from home.
Shakeel’s exploits helped Pakistan take a 149-run lead against Sri Lanka on day three of the rain-hit opening match on Tuesday.
The visitors were bowled out for 461 in the final session on day three after a frustrating ninth-wicket partnership of 94 between Shakeel, who remained not out on 208, and Naseem Shah, who scored six off 78 balls.
The 27-year-old Shakeel, who is playing his sixth Test, smacked Dhananjaya de Silva for a boundary to reach double century and received a standing ovation.
"When Naseem Shah joined me, he said that there´s a chance for me to go for the double hundred," Shakeel told reporters after the marathon knock.
"A lot of credit to him for backing me and not letting me panic."
Spinner Ramesh Mendis ended with a five-wicket haul but Shakeel combined with the tailenders including a 52-run seventh-wicket partnership with Nauman Ali, who scored 25.
But it was his 177-run partnership with Agha Salman, who hit 83, which brought Pakistan back in the game after slipping to 101-5 in their reply to Sri Lanka´s 312.
"When I went in to bat, I wanted to attack If I had tried to be defensive we would have got bowled out for 150," said Shakeel.
"That´s the reason I attacked and was able to take the game deep."