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Pakistan middle-order batsman Fawad Alam shined with the bat on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The left-handed stroke-maker smashed his Test career’s third century, and with his triple-figure mark, he joined an elite group.
Fawad is now the only Pakistan batsman to convert each of his first three half-centuries into a hundred. His first century came in 2009 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Then, 10 years later, Fawad made a comeback in the longest format and scored his second ton against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in December 2020.
The 35-year-old joined England’s Ravi Bopara in an elusive list. Both Fawad and Bopara have converted all of their half-centuries into hundreds. However, George Headley holds the world record for having converted his first six half-centur✱ie෴s into tons.
Fawad came into bat when Pakistan were struggling on 27/4. He showed immense patience and determination to stitch crucial partnerships with Azhar Ali and Mohammed Rizwan before helping Pakistan take the first-innings lead with Faheem Ashraf.
Fawad added a 94-run stand with Azhar, who scored his half-century before Keshav Maharaj dismissed the former Pakistan skipper. Then, the Karachi-lad formed another 55-run partnership alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan, who was removed by Lungi Ngidi for 33.
Fawad did not just stop there as he further featured in another vital 102-run stand with Ashraf before Ngi🔯di dismissed the centurion o♕n 109.
Ashraf was cleaned up by Anrich Nortje in the 101st over. He scored 64 off 84 balls. At stumps, Pakistan have reached to 308/8 and are leading the visitors by 88 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
𝔍What a gratifying story. Every time I see Fawad Alam score runs, my heart rejoices. 10 years denied him will never be ret💝urned, but all we can do is celebrate these apogee moments with him. Well played; 👏👏👏.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
Fawad Alam has 3 centuries in Tests
First 100 vs SL when the trail was 150 and Pakistan were bowled out for 90 in th☂e first inns. Second 100 vs NZ when Pakistan were 37-3 chasing 373. Third 100 vs South Africa after Pakistan were 27-4.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
This is Fawad Alam's 8th Test match.
It should be his 80th Test match.— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
When players like Fawad Alam scores, cricket becomes more beautiful, he waited for a Test s🐲pot more than a༒ decade after his debut but his hunger and fighting attitude was never lost through this phase then bringing his best when he got opportunity. Total respect, Fawad.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Fawad Alam slams his third Test century 🌟
He has converted all his Test fiftie🍃s into hundreds!
— ICC (@ICC)
The many shapes of Fawad Alam.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket)
Fawad Alam is proof in sport never say n🍬ever. What a stor🍒y.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar)
fawad alam has a decade of missed hundreds to catch up on…
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75)
Fawad Alam to South African bowlers
— Khayam (@KhayamSays)
About Fawad Alam
— PSL Memes (@PSLMemesWalay)
Fawad Alam peeling off hu♌ndreds in Test cricket with that beautiful beard and that extraordinary technique is very pleasing
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp)
B🍌rings his hundred🔜 with a maximum, as Wasim Akram said, hero of the day, definitely, Fawad Alam!
— PSL Memes (@PSLMemesWalay)
Top quality hundred by Fawad Alam. Came in to bat at 27/4. And he displayed a lot of c💦haracter at his home ground—in his first Test in Pakistan. All his 3 Test hundreds came when Pakistan were under pressure; same was the case when he hit his only ODI ton (Asia Cup 2014 final)
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Fawad Alam has been dismissed six times in Test matches from short ballಌs (&gꦿt;8m).
He has only s♑cored 69 runs from the 196 short balls faced in his career💝.
Avg: 11.50
Balls per wicket: 32.6— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst)
– take a bow, FAWAD ALAM.
The name of grit & mental strength!— Asif Khan (@mak_asif)
Why was F❀awad Alam left out for so many years? For being an ‘ugly’ batsman? If aesthetics equalled quality, Steve Smith wouldn’t have scored a run..
— Hemant (@hemantbuch)
Supꦗerb performance Fawad Alam!!! Brilliant Knock!!!! Not only justifying his inclusion but also raising questions why he has been out of the test team for so long. A great innings and hope he remains consistent. Keep Rocking!!! Very well done!!!
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan)
Fawad Alam resil▨ience is exemplary. Shining star indeed!!! A hall mark of talent & hard work. Shine on & make Pak prou🌼d.
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1)
Fawad Alam in his first appearance has performed better in Karachi thanꦑ PPP govt in 12 years.
— Svengali (@Ronin212)
Technique Schmeqmique! That was a glorious century. His 3rd in Test Cricket. Outstanding from✨ Fawad Alam 👏👏👏
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
The entire Pakistan cricket system should be held accountable f🌸or keeping Fawad Alam out of international cricket. Honestly.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42)
