Pakistan skipper Babar Azam completes 3,000 runs in Test cricket

Pakistan batter and skipper Babar Azam completed 3,000 runs in Test cricket on Tuesday.

Azam reached this landmark during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.

Azam struck a fine half-century, his 22nd in Tests, before he was bowled by spinner Prabhath Jayasuriya for 55 off 104 balls.

Now in his 73 Test innings, he has scored a total of 3,025 runs at an average of 47.26. He has 7 centuries and 22 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.

Coming to the match. Pakistan has been set a target of 342 runs to win the match. The visitors are well on course to do so as they finished Day four at 222/3, with Mohammad Rizwan 7* and Abdullah Shafique 112* unbeaten at the crease.

Earlier, Sri Lanka was bundled out for 337 in their second innings. Dinesh Chandimal scored an unbeaten 94* while Kusal Mendis (76) and Oshada Fernando (64) also scored half-centuries that gave Sri Lanka 341-run lead. Mohammed Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with 5/88 while Yasir Shah took 3/122.

Earlier in their first innings, Pakistan was bundled out for just 218. Skipper Azam fought a lone battle for his side, scoring 119 runs. Other players could not cross the 20-run mark.

Prabath Jayasuriya continued his amazing run with the ball, taking 5/82. Spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Ramesh Mendis also got two wickets. Kasun Rajitha got one wicket.

Earlier, opting to bat first, Sri Lanka put a total of 222 runs on the board. While Oshada Fernando (35) and Maheesh Theekshana (38) delivered solid contributions, it was a gritty knock by Dinesh Chandimal (76) that dragged Lankans to a respectable score.

Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking 4/58. Hasan Ali and Yasir Shah took two wickets each while Naseem Shah and Mohammed Nawaz could get only one.

(ANI)

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