Azan Awais scores century on Test debut against Bangladesh

DHAKA: Pakistan opener Azan Awais marked his first Test appearance with a century on Sunday during the opening match of the away series against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The left-handed batter resumed the third day unbeaten on 85 and reached the three-figure mark in the 51st over of Pakistan’s innings. He got to the milestone with a single off Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana.

With the innings, the 21-year-old became the 14th Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut. In doing so, he joined a group that includes Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Fawad Alam.

Rare feat for Pakistan on debut

Azan’s hundred also placed him in a smaller category among Pakistan batters. According to the reported record, he is only the third Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut in away conditions. The other two were Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam, who made their debut hundreds in Dunedin and Colombo respectively in 2009.

Khalid Ibadulla was the first Pakistan batter to enter the list of debut Test centurions. It also highlighted that Yasir Hameed remains the only Pakistan batter to score a century in each innings of his debut Test.

Azan’s innings came to an end shortly after he reached the landmark. He was dismissed by experienced Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed 22 deliveries after completing his century.

The opener made 103 from 165 balls, striking 14 fours during his stay at the crease. His innings provided Pakistan with a notable contribution at the top of the order in the series opener.

Azan’s debut hundred adds his name to a select list of Pakistan batters who made an immediate impact in the longest format. The achievement is regarded as a significant milestone for any batter beginning a Test career, and in Azan’s case it came in overseas conditions against Bangladesh.

The innings was compiled across two days, with Azan carrying his score overnight before converting it into a century on the third morning. After resuming on 85 not out, he remained composed and brought up the landmark before eventually departing for 103.

His knock, featuring 14 boundaries, ensured that his first outing in Test cricket ended with a place in Pakistan’s record books as one of the country’s debut centurions.