Former cricketers hail Babar, Abid knocks in Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan batsmen Abid Ali and Babar Azam were showered with praises from former cricketers after their unbeaten centuries on the fifth and final day of the Rawalpindi Test against Sri Lanka.

Abid became the first batsman to score centuries on both Test and One-day international (ODI) debuts when he drove pacer Vishwa Fernando through cover for two to complete his hundred, raising his hands in jubilation before bowing down on the ground.

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Abid finished with 109 not out and formed an unbeaten 162-run partnership with Babar, scored 102 not out, as Pakistan scored 252-2 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 308-6 declared.

Sri Lankan commentator Russel Arnold and former Australia cricketer Brad Hogg took to Twitter to applaud Abid’s achievement.

Fantastic achievement Abid Ali 👏👏👏𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬!! Hundred on debut in Tests as well as ODI’s .. never done before #pakvsl

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 15, 2019

Historical if Abid Ali makes a 100 on debut in the first test back on home soil. Shows age does not matter. #PAKvSL #Cricket #ICC

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 15, 2019

Abid also received appreciation from Pakistan cricket legends Mohammad Yousaf and Shoaib Akhtar.

Abid Ali becomes the first player in international cricket history to score a century on both ODI and Test debuts 👏💯..well played Abid..Proud of you#PAKvSL

— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) December 15, 2019

Breaking the door of international cricket and entering.
Abid Ali, the only player on the planet to score debut hundreds in both ODI cricket and Test Cricket.
That too, against teams like Australia & Sri Lanka. #AbidAli #century pic.twitter.com/7UMnLwkzXd

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 15, 2019

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, from across the border, also acknowledged the 32-year-old’s milestone.

Test cricket returned to Pakistan after 10 years. Very emotional moment for the players and the fans. Pity rain did not allow much of the game but what a great achievement for Abid Ali, a century on ODI debut earlier and now a 100 on Test debut #PAKvSL

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 15, 2019

Former West Indies fast-bowler Ian Bishop was also happy to see Babar continue his rich vein of form from Australia.

So, so, so good to see Babar Azam following up and building on his century vs Australia in Australia.

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) December 15, 2019