Pakistan enjoyed an unforgettable day at the Galle Stadium on Wednesday, sealing a record win in the first Test against Sri Lanka and also climbing up the World Test Championship table.
Opener Abdullah Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 as Pakistan chased down a target of 342 to win the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday by four wickets.
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya picked up nine wickets in the match but could not stop Babar Azam's team from overhauling the previous best chase in Galle of 268 by Sri Lanka against New Zealand in 2019.
Shafique starred in crucial partnerships including a 101-run third-wicket stand with skipper Azam, who made 55 after his 119 in the first innings, made in the company of tailenders.
The win not only gave the visitors a lead in the two-match series but also saw them overtake India and move into third position in the ICC World Test Championship table.
The way the table is structured, teams are ranked according to the percentage of points won in each series. Australia have the best record in this cycle, winning six Tests and losing just once but South Africa are on top of the table as they have a better ratio of points won from total available points in a series. A team gets 12 points for winning a Test, four for a draw and six for a tie.
This system was created to ensure teams like Australia, England and India, who regularly play four and five-match series, don't end up garnering more points than others by default.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Azam said Shafique has the technique and temperament to rise to the top of Test cricket.
The 22-year-old batted for just under nine hours and five sessions against a spin attack led by the in-form Jayasuriya.
"As a youngster, when you prove yourself and perform in tough conditions and difficult tracks, then it's good," Azam said.
"His confidence was high after performing against Australia so he was on a different level. And to perform against quality bowling, your confidence goes up higher.
"The way he plays, so clean and with his focus, he will get many, many more such knocks. I hope that he becomes one of the best openers in the world."
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
