Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel, who saved Pakistan in first innings of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, has achieved another milestone in the Test cricket.
After taking the 141st run on day three of the ongoing contest, Saud now holds the record for most aggregate runs by a Pakistani after his first 11 Test innings.
Saud has surpassed young Abdullah Shafique who had 720 runs in his first 11 innings. Miandad had scored 645 runs in as many innings initially in his Test career.
The left-handed batter scored his maiden Test 150, taking Pakistan to a more comfortable position in the first Test.
When this story was filed, Pakistan were leading the first innings by 74 runs with Saud (158*) and Naseem Shah (1*) at the crease.
Before Lunch, the visitors reached 313-6, taking a lead of one run, with middle-order batter Saud scoring an unbeaten century.
Pakistan only lost one wicket during the morning session on the third day while also scoring 92 runs.
Agha Salman was sent back to the hut by spinner Ramesh Mendis after scoring 83 runs with the help of nine fours and a six.
Shakeel added 177 runs for the sixth wicket with Salman as Pakistan recovered after losing early wickets.
Shakeel was on 119, with the help of 10 fours, and Nauman Ali on 13 as players headed back to the pavilion for a breather.
The third day of the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Galle began after nearly an hour-long rain delay.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.