Meet Kohli’s lookalike, Saud Shakeel of Pakistan, who scored a double century in the first Test against Sri Lanka

In a remarkable display of elegance and skill, Pakistani batsman Saud Shakeel scored an unforgettable double century against Sri Lanka in the first Test. Playing at the Galle International Stadium, Shakeel demonstrated his prowess, opening Pakistan’s innings and leaving a lasting impact on the cricketing world.

Double century in his sixth test match

Bow down, Saud Shakeel_#WTC25 , #SLvPAK , , pic.twitter.com/9xlphkYZxp– ICC (@ICC) 18 July 2023

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Meet Saud Shakeel – the rising star of Pakistan cricket

The 27-year-old left-handed batsman from Karachi, Saud Shakeel, has been taking the Pakistan domestic circuit by storm for quite some time now. Known for his elegant batting style and picturesque shots, Shakeel has quickly gained recognition as a promising young talent. He made his ODI debut against England in 2021 and has now cemented his place in the Test team. With his recent double hundred, Shakeel has cemented his position as the go-to middle-order batsman for Pakistan.

Incredible innings against Sri Lanka

In the first Test against Sri Lanka, Pakistan were reeling at 67/3 after trailing by 245 runs. That’s when Saud Shakeel came to the center. Showcasing exceptional focus and determination, Shakeel scored a brilliant double century and remained unbeaten on 208 off 361 balls. His brilliant innings played a key role in helping Pakistan post a total of 461 and take a decent first innings lead of 149 runs.

Records broken by Saud Shakeel

During his historic innings, Saud Shakeel broke several records which highlight his extraordinary talent and impact on the game. Let’s take a look at the records broken by him:

1. Highest scoring Pakistani in Sri Lanka: With his double century, Shakeel became the first Pakistani player to score a double century on Sri Lankan soil. The feat surpassed the previous records held by Mohammad Hafeez (196) and Younis Khan (177) against Sri Lanka in the island nation.
2. Rewriting a five-decade-long record: Saud Shakeel achieved another milestone by becoming the first Pakistani player since Zaheer Abbas against England in 1971 to score a double century in the first Test of an overseas series. This feat showcases Shakeel’s ability to excel on foreign soil.
3. Best Pakistani Test Batsman: With only 11 innings, Shakeel now holds the record for most Test runs by a Pakistani after this innings. He scored a total of 788 runs at an impressive average of 98.5, surpassing Abdullah Shafiq, who was the record holder earlier.

Saud Shakeel’s journey – from U-19 World Cup to international stardom

Before making his mark in international cricket, Saud Shakeel represented Pakistan Under-19 in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. He showcased his talent by captaining the team and grabbed the attention of cricket lovers by scoring 127 runs in the tournament. His consistent performances in Pakistan’s domestic tournaments earned him places in various franchises and paved his way to international stardom.

From Hussey to Anwar – Saud Shakeel’s cricket idol

In an interview, Saud Shakeel revealed his cricketing ideals that inspired him throughout his career. One of his idols is former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey, whom he admired for his brilliant stroke play and impeccable timing. Additionally, Saud also praised the stylish and graceful batting style of former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Anwar.