Pakistan's Azan Awais Scores Century on Test Debut, Becomes 14th Player to Achieve Feat The Pakistan cricket team celebrated a historic milestone as 21-year-old Azan Awais made his Test debut against Bangladesh and smashed a century in his first innings. The match, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, marked the start of a two-match Test series between the two nations. Awais, who had previously played domestic cricket, delivered a stellar performance, scoring 103 runs off 165 balls, including 14 fours. His innings, which ended on the third day of the match (May 10, 2026), was a masterclass in patience and precision, with Awais remaining unbeaten until the 51st over when he was dismissed by Tasneem Ahmed, caught by Nazmul Hossain. Awais' achievement places him among an elite group of Pakistani cricketers who have scored centuries on their Test debuts. He joins legends like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, and Fawad Alam in this exclusive list. His innings was a testament to his composure under pressure, as he navigated the Bangladesh bowling attack with calculated aggression. The young batsman began his innings cautiously, overcoming a minor injury sustained from a bouncing delivery early in his innings. By the end of the day, he had not only secured his team's position in the game but also etched his name into cricket history. The list of previous Pakistani players to achieve this feat includes notable names such as Khalid Ibadullah, who scored 166 against Australia in 1964, and Javed Miandad, who hit 163 against New Zealand in 1976. Other entries include Salim Malik’s 100 against Sri Lanka in 1982, Mohammad Wasim’s 109 against New Zealand in 1996, and Younis Khan’s 107 against Sri Lanka in 2000.#pakistan #bangladesh #sher_e_bangla_national_stadium #azan_awais #tasneem_ahmed
Babar Azam Excluded from Pakistan's ODI Series Against Bangladesh, Coach Emphasizes Youth Opportunity Pakistan’s cricket selectors have opted to exclude veteran opener Babar Azam from the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, with coach Mike Hesson citing the need to provide opportunities to younger players. The decision comes as part of a broader strategy to groom emerging talent ahead of the 2027 ICC World Cup. Hesson clarified that the exclusion is not a reflection of Azam’s current form but a calculated move to integrate fresh faces into the squad. “This series is a chance for these young players to prove themselves on the international stage,” Hesson said. The selected team includes six uncapped players, among them Abdur Rehman, Majid Sadiq, Mohammad Gazi Ghory, Saad Masud, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamim Hussain. Farhan, who made a significant impact in the T20 World Cup by scoring a century against Sri Lanka, has been included in the ODI squad. Hesson praised his performance, stating, “Farhan’s T20 exploits have earned him a spot in the ODI team.” Similarly, Hussain and Sadiq, who have shown promise in domestic and junior circuits, are also part of the squad. The three-match ODI series against Bangladesh will commence on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Pakistan’s squad includes Shahid Afridi (captain), Abid Ali, Fazal Haq, Faizal Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Gazi Ghory (wicketkeeper), Saad Masud, Farhan, Salman Ali Agar, and Shamim Hussain. The selection highlights Pakistan’s focus on balancing experience with youth, as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.#pakistan #t20_world_cup #babar_azam #mike_hesson #sher_e_bangla_national_stadium
