New Delhi: Another big milestone was witnessed in the history of Test cricket when Test skipper Shan Masood smashed the fastest double century by a Pakistan player in the history of first-class cricket. Masood scored a double ton in just 177 balls, breaking Pakistan batting great Inzamam Ul Haq’s three-decade old record.
The Pakistan Test captain achieved the landmark while representing Sui Northern Gas against Sahar Associate on the opening day of the President’s Cup departmental tournament. Inzamam, who is regarded as one of the best batters for the Pakistan side, had scored a double century in 188 balls in a tour match in England way back in 1992, when Masood was three years old.
Masood’s glorious unbeaten knock
Precisely, Masood shattered a 33-year-old record registered in the name of the former Pakistan skipper. Meanwhile, Masood remained unbeaten on 212 runs off 185 balls when the opening day was closed in the game on Sunday. His glorious knock included as many as 18 fours and 2 massive sixes as he ended his day on a memorable note.
36-year-old Masood had recently turned down an offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board to become a full-time Director of International Cricket and Players Relations to focus on the World Test Championship and his career. Thinking of an impact and disbalance in managing the dual role perfectly, Masood did not accept the post.
Meanwhile, the record for the fastest double by a visiting batter is still held by veteran Indian player Virender Sehwag, who smashed a double hundred from just 182 balls in the Lahore Test match back in 2006. The Board wanted him to cut short his career to accept the full time post after appointing him consultant of international cricket and players relations this year.