3rd Test: Azhar Ali ends lean patch with fighting hundred, becomes only 5th Pakistan batsman to 6,000 runs
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Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scored his 17th Test hundred as he led the visitors’ fight against England on Day 3 of the 3rd and final Test of the 3-match series, in Southampton. Azhar Ali ended a lean patch, scoring his first hundred in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) since 2017.
Azhar Ali got to his hundred in 205 balls as he held the key to Pakistan’s reply to England’s mammoth first-innings total of 583 for 8 declared. Ali was facing quite a lot of criticism after Pakistan lost the 1st Test despite taking a 100-plus first innings-lead. His batting form was discussed but it’s safe to say the skipper has answered his critics with the bat.
THAT moment ??#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/0rzf4TDmXQ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 23, 2020
Azhar Ali also became only the 5th Pakistan batsman on Sunday to reach 6,0000 Test runs. Ali has got to the milestone in his 81st Test match. Only Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8829), and Mohammad Yousuf (7530) have more Test runs than the skipper.
This was also Azhar Ali’s first hundred outside Asia since 2017. Azhar Ali had gone without 21 innings without scoring a hundred outside Asia but that came to an end with his gritty knock. Azhar hit his second hundred as Test captain and his second 3-figure score in England.
Azhar was under tremendous pressure as questions were being asked about his form on the ongoing tour of England. The Pakistan captain had a horror start to his campaign as he was out for a duck in the first innings of the Manchester Test. When Pakistan needed ttheir captain to step up in the 2nd innings, Azhar was out for 18.
Azhar was targetted by the England bowlers at his pads as the skipper had an issue with the ball that was moving into him. However, in the final Test, Azhar looked resolute and made sure he was not falling over and letting the ball smash into his pads.
Azhar came up with a courageous and spirited knock as Pakistan were in tatters early in their innings. James Anderson got the ball moving and picked up 4 wickets in no time. Pakistan were reeling at 75 for 5 when Azhar and Mohammad Rizwan joined hands.
The duo took its time to stall the England charge but kept the scoreboard moving after the ball become a bit old. Azhar and Rizwan added 138 runs to rescue Pakistan before Chris Woakes removed the wicketkeeper-batsman.
Azhar has been joined by tail-ender Yasir Shah as Pakistan are battling to avoid follow-on in the final Test.
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