After competing in 23 ODIs and 22 T20Is, Fakhar Zaman made his Test debut for Pakistan in the second Test against Australia on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old was playing in the UAE for the first time following a torrid Asia Cup campaign, where he just top-scored with 31 in five matches.
But Zaman silenced his critics in style, scoring 94 runs before being dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne in a crucial knock for Pakistan after the ‘hosts’ were 57-5 after 22 overs.
Here, we take a closer look at his performance from the opening day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
STATISTICS
RUNS: 94
BALLS FACED: 198
FOURS: 8
SIX: 1
STRIKE-RATE: 47.47
Test Cap presented to @FakharZamanLive
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) October 16, 2018
and @mirhamza_k#PakvAushttps://t.co/WB8ACV0tQz
30-SECOND REPORT
Fakhar Zaman was donning the whites for the first time at international level after Imam-ul-Haq’s finger injury saw him drafted into the squad. The opener was put into the deep end straight away and given his strong record in limited-overs, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed made it clear prior to the second Test that he was looking for Zaman to show his attacking approach. The 28-year-old took time to settle at the crease but his patience was rewarded with a deserved 94 runs off 198 deliveries.
GOT RIGHT
Tests and ODIs is a completely different ball game especially for batsmen but Zaman got his game plan spot on. Any deliveries from the Australian bowlers that were wide or felt uncomfortable, he left behind. With Tim Paine unleashing his pacers from the very first ball, Zaman had to be at the top of his game. His aggressive batting was nowhere to be seen in the early stages, striking his first boundary in just his 19th delivery, before adding another seven runs. Even when the top-order batsmen fell in that short spell from Nathan Lyon, Zaman remained focused and kept the scoreboard ticking. With every over bowled, he got more confident and eventually hit his first and only maximum.
Huge breakthrough for Australia! @marnus3cricket delivers the goods again for the visitors as Fakhar Zaman is dismissed for 94 on debut. Shattering. Pakistan go to tea at 204/6, well and truly back in it now. #PAKvAUS #PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/XNOvYGYT8c
— Flash Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) October 16, 2018
GOT WRONG
Considering he only played one day of Test cricket at the crease, there’s not much to criticise of Zaman’s performance. Early on in the innings, he looked uncomfortable against Australia’s pacers and far from convincing before he went on to score his fifty. That could be down to nerves but one area that he needs to improve is his running between wickets. On one occasion, he didn’t come back for a third run and rather settled for the two runs where he could have easily made it.
VERDICT – 8 out of 10
As far as Test debuts are concerned, Zaman will be relatively thrilled with his memorable knock. There was a lot of pressure on Zaman going into the game but he let the bat do the talking with a crucial knock. Another big score in the second innings and more Test caps will surely follow.
