SL vs PAK: Babar Azam animatedly celebrates Abdullah Shafique's century

Pakistan are currently playing Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series in Galle. The Test has been thrilling and thoroughly engaging, with both teams battling hard from the first day as the hosts set up a competitive target of 342 with over a day of play remaining.

On Day 4, Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique scored a magnificent hundred and helped to keep his side in the game. But what caught the eye of the fans on social media was skipper Babar Azam’s reaction after his partner Shafique completed his century. Babar looked thrilled and a little animated for someone who is not very expressive on the field.

This team is special
Look how #BabarAzam𓃵 celebrated Abdullah Shafique ton ❤️#PAKvsSL pic.twitter.com/8NoWkhFDDL

— Hamza Kaleem (@HKaleem23) July 19, 2022

Sri Lanka after winning the toss elected to bat first. Dimuth Karunaratne’s men put up 222 runs in 66.1 overs, courtesy of yet another splendid knock by Dinesh Chandimal, who top-scored with 76 runs off 115 balls. Pakistan’s bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers in the innings, picking up four wickets for 58 runs in 14.1 overs.

In Pakistan’s first innings, Babar top-scored 119 runs off 244 balls and saved his side from blushes, as they were 85/7 at one point. They finished with 218 runs in 90.5 overs, trailing by only 4 runs. Spinner Prabhath Jayasuriya yet again starred with the ball for the hosts with a five-wicket haul.

Sri Lanka amassed 337 runs in the second innings and took a huge lead of 341. It was Chandimal yet again who top-scored (94 off 139), complemented by Kusal Mendis, who scored 76 off 126. Spinner Mohammad Nawaz bagged a five-wicket haul and Yasir Shah scalped three wickets.

Pakistan’s chase was underway on Day 4 and the openers Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq added 87 runs for the first wicket. Imam got out for 35 runs as he was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella under controversial circumstances. Azhar Ali’s stay did not last long and he departed for only 6. Babar scored 55 off 104 balls and was bowled round the legs by Jayasuriya. Shafique remained unbeaten on 112 off 289 balls, with Pakistan being 222/3 at stumps.