GALLE: Saud Shakeel hit his maiden double century in Tests as Pakistan stretched their lead to a dominant 149 against Sri Lanka on day three of the rain-hit opening match on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka bowled out the tourists for 461 in the final session after a frustrating ninth-wicket stand of 94 between Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on 208, and Naseem Shah, who made six off 78 balls.
The 27-year-old Shakeel, who is playing his sixth Test, ruled as he cut Dhananjaya de Silva for a boundary to bring up his double century to a standing ovation.
The hosts ended the day on 14 for no loss after bad light stopped another rain-affected day. Sri Lanka still trail Pakistan by 135 runs in their second innings.
Nishan Madushka, on eight, and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, on six, were batting at the close of play.
The Sri Lankan bowlers led by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis, who ended with a five-wicket haul, hit back in the second session but Shakeel combined with the lower-order including a 52-run seventh-wicket stand with Noman Ali, who made 25.
But it was his 177-run partnership with Agha Salman, who hit 83, that drove Pakistan's bounce back from 101-5 in their reply to Sri Lanka's 312.
Shakeel was dropped twice on 93 and 139 as he went past his previous best of 125 not out.
Both Shakeel and Salman scored runs briskly and hit regular boundaries but the run rate dipped after Salman's departure.
The day started late due to rain, which affected play on the previous two days, prompting officials to re-adjust the session timings.
Pakistan's snooker players advance to pre-quarterfinals, last-20 round respectively following significant wins
The first knockdown comes with the help of a combination of right cross and left hook in the first round
England men's cricket team will arrive in Pakistan on October 2 as matches to be held in Multan, Rawalpindi
PCB chief assures ICC delegation of world-class arrangements ahead of mega event next year
Visitors secure 2-1 series victory after successfully chasing down Green Shirts' 153-run total
Batting first, Green Shirts put up 182-run target and restricted Proteas to 168/4