Opener became the first player to score century on Test and ODI debut
15 December, 2019
PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
Pakistan opener Abid Ali became the first batsman to score hundreds on both Test and One-day International (ODI) debuts when he struck a ton against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
On 95, the 32-year-old hit paceman Vishwa Fernando for a boundary and then drove him through cover for two to complete his hundred, raising his hands in jubilation before bowing down on the ground.
His feat came on the fifth and final day at Rawalpindi stadium and follows his 112 against Australia in Dubai on his one-day international debut in March this year.
Abid one of 15 batsmen to score a hundred on ODI debut since the inception of limited-overs cricket in January 1971, but none of the others also had a Test debut century.
Abid is the 11th Pakistani batsmen to score a century on Test debut.
Speaking after the conclusion of the match, Abid said that fellow batsman Babar Azam, who also scored a ton in the same innings, played a key role in lead up to his century.
“My plan was to see off the new ball. That was the target. Gradually built the innings with plans for every five overs. So I kept trying to keep that up. I want to give credit to Babar, while I was in my 90s, as he gave me confidence,” said Abid.
Abid's feat spiced up the historic Test, the first in Pakistan since the 2009 attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus left international cricket suspended in the country.
The match ended in a draw after bad weather hit the first four days of the match.
“Playing at home is a totally different experience. I want to thank the crowd. Everyone knew there wouldn't be a result but they all came out. As bowlers and batsmen, we've not had this kind of support for 9-10 years,” said Pakistan captain Azhar Ali while speaking about the historic occasion.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne also appreciated the crowd for turning up on the final day of the match and supporting both teams.
"We need to see the positives and move on. We'll see how it goes in Karachi. Hopefully it won't rain and we get five days of cricket. First of all I want to thank all the Pakistan fans. They supported us as well. In other countries you won't get support like this. We went out last evening, and everyone was really humble with us. We love the Pakistan fans and hope we get the support in Karachi as well,” said Karunaratne.
The second Test is in Karachi from December 19.
