Dream Debut: Azan Awais joins Pakistan’s elite century-makers

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan’s young opener Azan Awais announced his arrival on the international stage in spectacular fashion by scoring a century on Test debut during the opening match of the away series against Bangladesh national cricket team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The 21-year-old left-hander resumed day three unbeaten on 85 and calmly completed his maiden Test hundred in the 51st over of Pakistan’s innings, taking a single off Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana to reach the landmark.

With the achievement, Azan became only the 14th Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut, joining an elite list that includes legends such as Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Fawad Alam.

Former Pakistan opener Khalid Ibadulla was the first Pakistani batter to score a Test century on debut, achieving the feat against Australia in 1964, while Yasir Hameed remains the only Pakistan batter to score centuries in both innings of a debut Test.

Azan’s knock also earned him another unique distinction. He became only the third Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut in overseas conditions, following Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam, who registered their debut hundreds in Dunedin and Colombo respectively in 2009.

The promising left-hander’s memorable innings finally came to an end when experienced Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed dismissed him shortly after he crossed the three-figure mark. Azan scored a composed 103 runs off 165 deliveries, striking 14 boundaries during an innings marked by confidence, patience and maturity beyond his age.

Pakistan batters to score a century on Test debut

Khalid Ibadulla – 166 vs Australia (1964)

Javed Miandad – 163 vs New Zealand (1976)

Saleem Malik – 100* vs Sri Lanka (1982)

Mohammad Wasim – 109* vs New Zealand (1996)

Ali Naqvi – 115 vs South Africa (1997)

Azhar Mahmood – 128* vs South Africa (1997)

Younis Khan – 107 vs Sri Lanka (2000)

Taufeeq Umar – 104 vs Bangladesh (2001)

Yasir Hameed – 170 & 105 vs Bangladesh (2003)

Fawad Alam – 168 vs Sri Lanka (2009)

Umar Akmal – 129 vs New Zealand (2009)

Abid Ali – 109* vs Sri Lanka (2019)

Kamran Ghulam – 114 vs England (2024)

Azan Awais – 103 vs Bangladesh (2026)

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