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DUBAI: Abid Ali made a dream international debut with a century against Australia in Dubai on Friday, but expressed deep disappointment at Pakistan not winning the fourth One-day International.
The 31-year-old from Lahore was rewarded for his high run scoring in domestic cricket, as well as for Pakistan ‘A’, and he grabbed the opportunity with a well-crafted knock 112 off 119 balls against the world champions.
But, despite Abid’s century, coupled with Mohammad Rizwan’s second hundred of the series, Pakistan still lost the match by six runs after Australia had posted 277-7 on the back of 98 from Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja’s 62 and 55 from Alex Carey.
The win gave Australia a 4-0 lead with the last game, also in Dubai, on Sunday to come.
Abid admitted the defeat took the gloss off a memorable occasion.
“Obviously, had the team won, it would have been a great occasion,” he opener commented. “My century individually, and that too on debut, is a matter of happiness, but had we won it, would have been better and more memorable.”
Abid — third Pakistani to score debut ODI hundred after Saleem Elahi and Imam-ul-Haq — had been performing well decently in the past couple years, but his last year’s run-scoring for Pakistan ‘A’ brought him in real contention. After a poor series against New Zealand ‘A’ (62 runs in three one-day matches), Abid smashed 140 in a one-dayer against England Lions. He then doubled it with 113 in the unofficial Test against the Lions, when Pakistan successfully chased 312 in Abu Dhabi.
Abid punched another century in the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, which helped Habib Bank win the title and complete a grand double since they had also clinched the National One-day Cup.
When Pakistan decided to test its bench strength in the series against Australia, Abid was selected in the national squad and finally got rewarded after regular opener Imam-ul-Haq was down with fever just several hours before the game was to start.
“I was told on Friday morning [of my debut] as Imam had fallen sick,” said Abid. “I was positive and happy because I had a good season. So I was thinking whenever I get a chance I will prove myself that the performances in the preceding months wee not just flash in the pan.”
Abid rued the fall of key wickets in the final overs, which cost Pakistan dearly in the chase after he and Rizwan (104) had shared a great partnership of 144 for the third wicket.
“When Umar Akmal and Saad Ali got out, then we were pushed on the back foot but otherwise we needed run-a-ball,” said Abid of the two batsmen who managed seven runs each. “It was pretty disappointing from my point of view because the pitch was okay to bat on. During my stay [in the middle] I was hitting the shots quite, but unfortunately not to finish the match.”
Meanwhile, Abid dedicate his century to his daughter and family.
“I dedicate my century to my daughter and all my family members,” said Abid. “Because to play for Pakistan was a dream and I was anxiously waiting for the opportunities to come my way.
“After Shan [Masood] got out very early in the first over, Haris [Sohail] told me to hang in there as long as I could. The virtue of staying [at the crease] is something every batsman needs to make a big score. That is exactly what I wanted to do and got the rewards because I played each ball on its merit.”—Agencies