Rasheed lauds Azam for impressive innings

Former chief selector says youngster has ability to be on of Test cricket’s greats


Our Correspondent April 25, 2017
PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board Director Cricket Operations Haroon Rasheed praised batsman for his 72-run knock against on the third day of the first Test against the West Indies, saying that the youngster has got the ability to become the top Test batsman in the world.

After rain had marred the second day, with only 11.3 overs bowled, Pakistan restricted the hosts to 286 when played resumed on the third day.

The day was all about Younus Khan, who became the first Pakistani to reach the historic 10,000-run landmark, but Rasheed found time to praise Azam for his brilliant half-century, which included eight boundaries and a six.

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“I can see a great cricketer in Azam; he has the ability and the talent to become one of the top Test batsman in the world,” he told The Express Tribune. “His innings [on the third day] is proof of this. Although he played many dot-balls and scored less but he came in at the crease when his team was losing wickets and his primary job was to hold his ground and he did that perfectly in addition to making a half-century. It is good to see him adapting to a different style-of-play,” he said.

Hailed as a potential successor to Younus as the permanent occupant of the number three batting position, Azam enjoyed a moment of luck just after lunch when West Indies captain Jason Holder failed to hold on to a caught-and-bowled chance with the batsman on 12.

Yet just as it looked as if their partnership would continue until the close of play, Gabriel broke through.

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Earlier, Holder finished unbeaten on 57 after the delayed start to another rain-affected day as Mohammad Amir completed his best Test innings figures to wrap up the home side's innings after they resumed at the overnight position of 278 for nine.

He bowled last man Gabriel to finish with six for 44, an effort which improved on his previous best of six for 84 against England at Lord's in 2010.

Play started 90 minutes later than scheduled due to the continuing effects of heavy, torrential rain on a damp outfield which reduced play to just 55 minutes on the second day. (with additional input from AFP)

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