Comment: Select rope of triple-centurions, and Azhar’s now one of them
Azhar’s (L) staggering triple-hundred is a 29th in 140 years of Test cricket story and usually a fourth by a Pakistani batsman. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: From an early age Azhar Ali’s persistence and mental strength stood out. The Lahore-born started his veteran career as a leg-spinner before graduating into a prolific first-class batsman and eventually violation into a Test group 6 years ago.
Defying contingency and producing formula in adversity have been Azhar’s hallmark and once again his ability to furnish a staggering opening was well showcased in his epic triple century opposite a West Indies in Dubai.
Only days ago his place and his ability to lead a ODI side was being questioned in a media circles with many pundits job for his axe, however, Azhar strike behind with a relaxed century in a final ODI of a array and followed that adult with a conspicuous triple century to overpower his critics.
While a West Indies conflict in a ongoing array is arguably their misfortune ever, Azhar’s staggering triple-hundred is a attainment that can't be taken lightly, merely a 29th in 140 years of Test cricket history.
Cricket universe felicitates Azhar Ali on initial day-night triple ton
Azhar’s 658-minute stay during a double speaks volumes about his thoroughness levels and obduracy. Facing a sum of 469 balls, Azhar upped a dash of his innings as he neared a 300-run milestone, with a final 100 runs entrance during roughly a run a ball.
Azhar scored 104 runs in bounds — 23 fours and dual sixes — besides picking adult 198 runs by accumulating ones, twos and threes; a transparent covenant of his stamina and endurance.
Fourth Pakistani triple-centurion
Azhar is now partial of a name rope of Pakistan cricketers to have posted a triple century in Test cricket with usually Hanif Mohammad, Inzamamul Haq and Younus Khan among those to have crossed a 300-run symbol in their renowned Test careers.
Hanif — 337 during Barbados in 1958 — constructed arguably a biggest ever compare saving innings in Test story as Pakistan staved off a certain better due to a heroics of a petite Karachi batsman.
Azhar Ali’s 14-year tour from underling to superb
His 970-minute function of a batting double is still a Test record for a longest ever innings; a opening singlehandedly lifted Hanif’s status to a turn of some of a greats of a game.
Inzamam became Pakistan’s second Test triple-centurion after a 45-year wait. The rugged middle-order batsman from Multan crushed a New Zealand bowlers all around a Gaddafi Stadium in breathless feverishness during his 436-ball 329-run effort, studded with 9 sixes and 38 fours.
Unlike Azhar, some-more than 60% of Inzamam’s runs were scored around boundaries, giving serve weightage to his purported dislike for using between wickets.
Azhar during a triple as Pakistan take full control
Younus Khan was Pakistan’s final triple-centurion before Azhar; his 313 off 586 balls during a National Stadium of Karachi was an superb feat notwithstanding a impossibly peaceful inlet of a representation where Sri Lanka’s initial innings measure of 644 was surfaced by Pakistan’s 765, their top ever Test score.
Meanwhile a sum of 6 Australians, 5 Englishmen, 4 West Indians, 4 Pakistanis, 3 Sri Lankans and a batsman any from New Zealand and India have amassed 300-plus scores in Test cricket.
Brian Lara, Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle are a usually batsmen to have done dual triple centuries each.
Published in The Express Tribune, Oct 16th, 2016.
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Article source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1199585/comment-select-band-triple-centurions-azhars-now-one/