The Pakistan cricket team is currently in Bangladesh, participating in a two-match Test series. The first game of the series is being held at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka. 21-year-old Azan Awais made a memorable debut by scoring a century for his national side. The left-handed batter scored 103 runs from 165 balls, including 14 boundaries.
Azan achieved something that no Pakistani batter has managed in the last 17 years. He became the first player since Umar Akmal in 2009 to score a debut century in an away Test match. Akmal had previously scored his maiden ton against New Zealand during the 2009 game in Dunedin.
Additionally, Azan became the 14th player from Pakistan to score a century on his debut. Karam Ghulam was the last player to achieve this feat when he scored 100 against England during the home series at Multan in 2024. Taufeeq Umar, in 2001, was the first batter to achieve this milestone, scoring a ton on his debut against Bangladesh.
Pakistan started strongly on day three
On the second day of the game, the home team was bowled out for 413 runs, with Mohammad Abbas taking five wickets. At the end of the day, Shan Masood’s side had reached 179 runs for the loss of one wicket after playing 46 overs. Azan remained not out on 85, while fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal was on 37.
Awais reached his fifty off 65 balls with eight hits to the fence, while Fazal reached the mark on day three off 102 balls. The three figures finally came in the 153rd ball as the batter looked up at the sky and celebrated his ton. The visitors managed to surpass 200 runs in just 55 overs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz helps Bangladesh eke out a 27-run first innings lead
Taskin Ahmed gave the home side their first wicket of the day when he dismissed the centurion for 103. The pacer also took the wicket of skipper Masood for 9 and later dismissed the dangerous-looking Mohammad Rizwan for 59.
The hero with the ball for the side was Mehidy Miraz, who took 5/102 from his 38 overs. The right-arm bowler ran through the Pakistani batting order and bowled them out for 386 to achieve a crucial lead of 27 runs. Bangladesh ended the day at seven for no loss with Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy batting.
