Pakistan sprung a surprise in the second Test against New Zealand at Dubai with Sarfraz Ahmed’s men declaring their first innings at 418-5 after a 167-over toil over two days.
The 418-run total is the lowest first innings declaration on UAE Test soil and it came after Pakistan’s batsmen had run New Zealand’s bowlers to the ground with a slow grind at the Dubai International Stadium.
Two Pakistan batsmen in the form of Haris Sohail and Babar Azam managed to register tons in the process with the latter bringing up his maiden century in the format.
Here, we take a closer look at Babar’s first Test ton.
STATISTICS
RUNS SCORED: 127
BALLS FACED: 263
BOUNDARIES: 12
SIXES: 2
STRIKE-RATE: 48.28
30-SECOND REPORT
Babar had arrived at the crease towards the close of play on day one and he continued from where he left off with Sohail for company as the two Pakistan batsmen continued to take their toll on the Kiwi bowling.
The pair added 76 runs in a slow morning session before their 184-run mammoth stand for the fifth wicket was brought to an end shortly after tea with Sohail’s dismissal. The duo had spent an astonishing 70 overs together at the crease before Boult sent back Sohail.
Babar continued to march on unperturbed as he brought up his first Test ton in what was his 32nd innings in the format. He remained unbeaten in the company of Sarfraz as Pakistan declared their first-innings total on 418-5.
A marathon stand between Babar Azam and Haris Sohail.
GOT RIGHT
While Sohail was more circumspect in his 421-ball marathon at the crease, Babar was relatively more free-flowing with his stroke play. The right-hander went along at a strike-rate of just under 50 and was not afraid to use his feet against the spinners.
It was Babar’s efforts primarily that kept Pakistan’s scoring rate at a respectable rate on what was an extremely slow wicket where stroke making proved to be difficult for the batsmen.
The 24-year-old had fallen agonisingly short of a ton against the Kiwis when he was dismissed for 92 in the final ODI but he would not be denied in the Tests as he breached the triple-figure mark for the first time.
GOT WRONG
The classy batsman had been largely untroubled during his 263-ball stay at the crease but he retreated into his shell as he entered the 90s on Sunday. Babar slowed to a grind during that period and had to then spend the entire tea break being stranded on 99.
However, some amount of nerves in the 90s are to be expected from the Pakistan batsman who has failed to stamp his authority in Test cricket.
VERDICT – 9/10
The Pakistan man has been in a golden run of form across all formats in the UAE recently and a maiden Test ton has come at the perfect time for him. He has long been hailed as Pakistan’s next batting great in the making and his Sunday showing will go a long way in justifying that lofty tag.
While it has been an excruciating wait for a first Test century, the 127-run innings could just be catalyst Babar needed to take his red-ball career to the next level. It is only his third first-class ton overall but it could be the first of many more to come from the Pakistan stalwart.
A moment to savour for the young man.
