Watch: Abdullah Shafique leads Pakistan's cake-cutting celebration after victory over Sri Lanka in Galle
India Today
Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka: Abdullah Shafique cut a cake as Pakistan players celebrated their record-breaking run-chase against Sri Lanka from their team hotel in Galle on Wednesday, July 20.
Pakistan players cut a cake and celebrated their record-breaking victory over Sri Lanka in the first of a 2-match Test series on Wednesday, July 20. Led by man of the moment, Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan players celebrated their win at the scenic team hotel, which faces the sea in Galle.
Captain Babar Azam urged young Abdullah Shafique to do the honours as the players gathered at the team hotel for the cake-cutting celebrations. Notably, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 4 wickets after scripting a record chase of 343 on Day 5 of the first Test.
Pakistan players were elated as they enjoyed each other's success over the course of 5 days in the Galle Test. Despite fighting contributions from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka finished second best, thanks to a stunning unbeaten 160 from Shafique in the fourth innings.
Win together. Celebrate together.Cake time for the boys #SLvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/b5l3Pe5u4E
On a pitch that offered plenty of turn and bounce for the spinners, 22-year-old Shafique showcased incredible composure and grit as he hit 160 not out in 408 balls. Shafique survived close calls on multiple occasions but the youngster managed to put behind the setbacks to get Pakistan past the finish line.
Shafique's disciplined innings had only 6 boundaries and a six but he was in control of the Pakistan run chase from start to finish. Shafique stitched an 87-run opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq, a 101-run stand for the 4th wicket wih captain Babar and a 71-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan.
The previous highest successful run chase at Galle was Sri Lanka’s 268 against New Zealand in 2019.