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Abid Ali creates history with century on Test, ODI debuts

Abid Ali creates history with century on Test, ODI debuts
December 15, 2019
RAWALPINDI (92 News/AFP) - Pakistani opener Abid Ali created history on Sunday by becoming the first batsman in the game history to score century on both his ODI and Test debuts as he reached three figures on the final day of the Rawalpindi Test against Sri Lanka. Abid Ali, 32, had earlier scored a century on his 50-over debut against Australia in Dubai earlier this year and replicated the feat in five-day cricket as he guided Pakistan towards a draw in the rain-affected inaugural Test – the first in the country in a decade. The opening batsman reached his ton off 183 balls with 11 hits to the fence. He received good support from captain Azhar Ali (36) and later Babar Azam, who scored a fifty in the post-tea session. Abid has been one of the most consistent batsmen in domestic cricket with more than 100 first-class matches and 7,000 runs under his belt. Pakistan’s struggles in the Test format forced the management to look at experienced heads in the batting department and Abid showed that consistency in first-class cricket leads to success in the Test arena more often than not. Abid has had a stellar start to his international career. He has a century and a fifty after fours ODIs and now has a Test ton in his first outing. Abid became the first batsman to do the debut ton double in men’s cricket. England's Enid Bakewell has already done so in women's cricket. As the first Test in Pakistan since the 2009 attack ended in a draw. At tea, Pakistan reached 177-2 at tea in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 308-6. Abid scored 112 against Australia in Dubai on his one-day international debut in March this year. Bad weather hit the Test on all previous four days and only 91.5 overs were played as rain, bad light and overcast conditions affected the game. The fourth day was abandoned without a ball being bowled. But there was bright sunshine on Sunday as Sri Lanka batted for 20 minutes to declare their first innings at 308-6 with middle-order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva scoring an unbeaten 102. With gates opened to the crowd for free, about 12,000 fans were kept entertained by Dhananjaya and then Abid.