Pak opener becomes first-ever batsman to score ton on both ODI and Test debuts: Abid Ali hits world record ton in drawn SL Test

ISLAMABAD: Abid Ali’s elegant world record-setting unbeaten century (109*) stole the show on the fifth and final day’s play in the rain-marred first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan that ended in draw at the Pindi Stadium Sunday.

Abid becomes the first-ever batsman in the history to have scored century on Test and one-day debuts as Pakistan settled for 252 for 2 in 70 possible overs on the fifth day in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 306 for 6 declared. Prolific Babar Azam (102 not out) also utilized the opportunity to the fullest striking his third Test hundred-second during the last two, to lead Pakistan’s formidable response to Sri Lanka’s 306 for 6 declared.

“I am delighted to have achieved the distinction that was never in my mind. Indeed scoring century in one-deyers and Test on debut is a wonderful thing. What I wanted was to make my Test cap opportunity count and thanks God Almighty that happened,” Abid said following his heroic performance with the bat.

Abid who was later named Man of the Match, was seen striking 11 fours during his 201-ball unbeaten stay at the wicket. When he lost his opening partner Shan Masood (0) of a careless drive on a full toss of CAK Rajitha, Abid stayed firm at the other end. First he put on 87-runs for the second wicket with Azhar Ali (36) and then raised 162 for the unbroken second wicket with Babar Azam. Babar was aggressive of the two, striking 14 fours during his 128-ball hundred. He unleashed some quality shots to enthralled large crowd which turned out at the Stadium even when there was remote chances of any outcome.

“Babar Azam kept me in the game even when I got a bit nerves in nineties. He backed me and said that century was just around the corner and what you need was to stay at the wicket,” Abid said. When Abid raised hi century, he signaled towards dressing and later confirmed that signal was for his daughter Muniba. “I waited long for this opportunity and I am grateful to Allah for helping me cash in on the given chance,” Abid said. Abid never looked in a hurry or if he was playing his first ever Test when he was seen smashing Sri Lanka bowlers all around the park.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their first innings close at 306 for 6 adding 24 runs to Friday’s total. All the tourists were waiting was DM de Silva (102 not out) hundred which he achieved minutes after resumption. His gritty form continued as he struck second hundred in as many Tests to take Sri Lanka total to over 300.

Sri Lanka 1st innings:

D. Karunaratne lbw b Shaheen 59

O. Fernando c Sohail b Naseem 40

K. Mendis c Rizwan b Shinwari 10

A. Mathews c Shafiq b Naseem 31

D. Chandimal b Abbas 2

D. de Silva not out 102

N. Dickwella c Azam b Shaheen 33

D. Perera not out 16

Extras (b5, lb7, nb3) 15

Total: (for six wkts, 97 overs) 308

DNB: V. Fernando, K. Rajitha, L. Kumara

Fall: 1-96 (Karunaratne), 2-109 (Fernando), 3-120 (Mendis), 4-127 (Chandimal), 5-189 (Mathews), 6-256 (Dickwella)

Bowling: Abbas 27-9-72-1, Shaheen 22-7-58-2 (nb3), Shinwari 15-4-54-1, Naseem 27-5-92-2, Sohail 3-0-12-0, Masood 1-1-0-0, Shafiq 2-0-8-0

Pakistan 1st innings:

Shan Masood c Chandimal b Rajitha 0

Abid Ali not out 109

Azhar Ali c Karunaratne b Kumara 36

Babar Azam not out 102

Extras: (b 2, nb 2, w 1) 5

Total: (for two wkts, 70 overs ) 252

DNB: Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Masood), 2-90 (Azhar)

Bowling: Rajitha 6-2-5-1 (1nb), Fernando 13-1-49-0, Kumara 14-4-46-1, Perera 24-0-85-0, De Silva 11-0-48-0 (nb1), Oshada 1-0-3-0, Mendis 1-0-14-0

Result: Draw

Toss: Sri Lanka

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) and Michael Gough (ENG)

TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).