Abid Ali becomes first Pakistani to score centuries in first two Tests of career

Abid Ali punches back a delivery against Sri Lanka. — Photo: AFP

Opening batsman Abid Ali on Saturday became the first Pakistani to score centuries in in each of his first two Tests

The right-hander achieved the feat in the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium in Karachi.

It took him just 137 deliveries to reach the landmark, by which time he had smashed 14 fours and a six.

The 32-year-old had also scored an unbeaten 109 in the rain-marred drawn Test in Rawalpindi earlier this week.

Abid becomes just the ninth batsman to score centuries in each of their first two Test matches — a list that includes names such as Mohammad Azharuddin, Saurav Ganguly, Rohit Sharma and Alvin Kallicharran. 

If he scored a ton in his next Test match as well, he would equal the world record currently held by Azharuddin, who is the only batsman in the world to score tons in three consecutive Test matches to start his career. 

It is pertinent to mention here that Abid had also scored a century on ODI debut against Australia in UAE earlier this year.