Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood displayed one of the finest pieces of batting in recent years as he broke a record that had been standing for a long time, held by India’s former opener Virender Sehwag. A left-handed batsman wrote his name in history by hitting a double hundred off only 177 balls in the on-going President’s Trophy Grade I match.
Donning the colors of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in a match against Sahir Associates, with his team in need of stability to get off to a good start in their inning, Masood took to the ground with his teammates. The performance that unfolded was nothing sort of mesmerizing as he went after all bowlers with a measure of menace to leave them stunned and helpless.
Masood brought up the double hundred in just 177 deliveries, which is a record-breaking performance, as the erstwhile record was held by Indian legend Virender Sehwag, in a test match against Pakistan in Lahore in the year 2006, who had scored the double hundred in just 182 deliveries. This is now the fastest recorded double hundred by a Pakistani batsman in first-class cricket.
The Pakistan captain went on to stay unbeaten on 212 runs off 185 balls, clearing boundaries with ease. His strike rate was over 110 runs per hour, which was nothing short of remarkable in the five-day format of the game. His innings was replete with fours and sixes that showcased the transformation of the player from a traditional one into an aggressive Test-opening bat.
Masood was ably accompanied by Ali Zaryab, who also played a brilliant innings of his own, barely missing out on a double hundred. The pair added a staggering 390 runs to their tally at the second wicket, utterly decimating the opposing attack. SNGPL finished the days play having scored a total of 460/2 in a little over 82 overs, putting themselves in a dominating fashion.
This knocks further adds to his already phenomenal domestic performance in 2025, where in just 2025, he has scored well over 1,500 runs at an average of above 70, which shows that the left-hander is in top form and eager to fetch big scores. This is his fifth double ton in first-class cricket, which puts him in Pakistan’s top batsmen.
This knock further augments his spectacular domestic achievement in 2025, where he has earned more than 1,500 runs at an impressive average of above 70, indicating that the left-handed player is in superb form and ready to take big scores. This makes it his fifth double-century in first-class cricket, thus, placing him among the best batsmen of Pakistan. The innings was more than a mere collection of runs; it was a reflection of Masood’s leadership and character.
The Pakistan Test captain, after having gone through a cycle of getting into and out of international cricket, has now proved his resilience and patience by leading from the front. His performance is likely to bolster his position for the upcoming international assignments and reestablish his worth in the longer format. Shan Masood’s mammoth innings will not only be celebrated for going past a landmark set by the great Virender Sehwag but also for attesting the richness of Pakistan’s domestic cricket. It is a reminder that the classic format still has the power to create extraordinary moments that can attract the curiosity of cricket fans all over the world.
