Babar Azam scores a century against Sri Lanka in the first Test

Babar Azam scores a century as Pakistan rallies against Sri Lanka in the first Test, PAKvSL

Babar Azam, the captain and best hitter for Pakistan, smashed another incredible century to help Men in Green overcome a crisis against Sri Lanka in the first innings.

Prior to being bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, the great batsman scored his seventh century and surpassed the landmark of 10,000 international runs during a pivotal 119-run innings.

The 27-year-old also broke Virat Kohli's record to score 10,000 runs in international cricket at the quickest rate ever achieved by an Asian hitter.

Apart from Babar's innings, the visitors' batting line was helpless as the team struggled at 148/9 until the skipper and the teenager Naseem Shah added 70 runs to their total in a last-wicket stand.

In the lengthy 10th wicket partnership, the Pakistani captain continued to provide the majority of runs, while the right-arm bowler resisted the hosts well.

Before Mohammad Nawaz struck in the second-to-last over to dismiss Lankan side captain Dimuth Karunaratne on 16, the team was off to a strong start with a four-run lead.

After starting play with the overnight score of 24/2 earlier in the day, Men in Green experienced utter batting mayhem. On the third ball of the second day's play, which had been delayed for a half-hour, left-arm spinner Jayasuriya outperformed Azhar Ali.

The batting order of the visiting team was then dismantled by Jayasuriya's four key wickets in the first session of the second day.

Shaheen displayed his abilities and prowess in spin-friendly conditions earlier, taking four wickets to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting order and limiting the visitors to 222 runs.

Squads

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (vc, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Yasir Shah . Babar Azam is the team's captain.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal, Oshanda Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Prabath Jayasuriya . Dimuth Karunartne is the captain.