"I was just looking for an opportunity to prove myself which I did today" : Abid Ali

[MenInG]

Abid Ali speaking to the press after the end of the 4th ODI

Obviously, I would have been much happier if the team had won the game

When Umar Akmal and Saad Ali lost their wickets is when things got a little difficult as this was a time when we needed a run a ball

We were playing big shots but it’s a little disappointing that we did not finish the job

I found about my debut in the morning, as Imam had fever

When I did find out, I was very happy and positive also as I had been doing well in the current season and scoring well also

I was just looking for an opportunity to prove myself which I did today

Our domestic cricket is very tough and there is no doubt about it

I would like to dedicate this century to my daughter, and to my family

I just needed a door to open for me in terms of an opportunity to play for Pakistan and the Almighty opened that path for me

We were a little disappointed when Shan Masood was out but then Haris Sohail came and said to me that I needed to play positively with confidence

I will continue to work hard and I would like to thank all the coaches in NCA for their help

I am also working on my fitness with the trainers here to try and improve myself as much as I can

"However much I thank Allah is less. I was waiting for an opportunity, I wanted to avail any chance I got"

"In the last 2-3 months my name also came up for Pakistan A and I performed there"

"I had confidence and I would like to thank the management for that. Of course there was pressure at the start but I cooled myself down. My partner said I can do well and I have ability. I just tried to be positive and to play good shots on merit"

"In the beginning I got into a bit of a rhythm"

"I wanted to give my 100% when I got a chance. My family kept asking me if I was playing and I had to say no. They gave me a lot of confidence, my father, wife, mother, daughter. They all told me to be cool and confident and that Allah would reward me"

"I feel that my getting out was the turning point. Our plan was to finish the game 1-2 overs early. Rizwan said that if I get a chance, I should go for it. I said OK, but I got a top edge and I got out. I'm disappointed"

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Really happy for him.

He is a must in WC!

 

[Snowflake]

Harris Sohail telling a debutant to play positively and confidently )

 

[Markhor]

Seems like a classy fellow. Great start to his career.

 

[MT786]

Rizwan and his tips.

 

[pakistani pride]

So Imam was actually playing this game?!?!?!

I mean what the...

 

[nads_rocks]

To find out in the morning you are playing. The pressure of performing in your first game at the age of 31 knowing if you fail you may not get a chance again.
To make a century in that game against Australia in UAE and setting a platform for other batsman to finish a game.

Hats off to Abid Ali. A win would have been great but cannot take away his great innings.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Just heard he was not supposed to play today but Imam got fever.

Mickey Arthur how bad have you become. Cant identify talent

 

[Titan24]

Harris Sohail telling a debutant to play positively and confidently )

If it would have been other way round and then we might also have won the match

 

[Titan24]

Really happy for him, I hope he can keep going like this. This also gives us possibility of a right left combo at the top.

 

[shaz619]

This guy is a warrior, kept toiling in the abyss that is the Pakistan domestic circuit and despite all the low blows he never gave up, all that payed off in the most emphatic way on this day when he dared to be great, no one can ever take away this moment from him. He might be a bit old now but I wish him the best and hope he makes the WC squad.

 

[MenInG]

Abid Ali happy with dream debut, disappointment with team’s defeat

Dubai, 30 March 2019:

Abid Ali made a dream international debut with a century against Australia in Dubai on Friday, but showed disappointment over Pakistan not winning the fourth one-day match.

The 31-year-old was rewarded for his high run scoring in domestic cricket, as well as for the Pakistan ‘A’, and he grabbed the opportunity with a brilliant and attractive 112 off 119 balls against a resurgent Australia.

But, despite Abid’s century, coupled with Mohammad Rizwan’s second of the series, Pakistan lost the match by six runs. Australia had posted 277 for seven at the back of 98 from Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja’s 62 and Alex Carey’s 55.

The win gave Australia a 4-0 lead with the last game also in Dubai on Sunday.

Abid admitted the defeat took the gloss off a memorable occasion.

“Obviously, had the team won, it would have been a great occasion,” said Abid. “My century individually, and that too on debut, is a matter of happiness, but had Pakistan won it, would have been better and memorable.”

Abid 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 hit 140 in a one-day match against England Lions. He then doubled it with 113 in the unofficial Test against Lions, when Pakistan successfully chased 312 in Abu Dhabi.

Abid punched another century in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which helped Habib Bank won the title. When Pakistan decided to test its bench strength in the series against Australia, Abid was selected in the squad and finally got rewarded after regular opener Imam-ul-Haq was down with fever.

“I was told on Friday’s morning (of my debut) as Imam had fallen sick,” said Abid. “I was positive and happy because my season was good, so I was thinking whenever I get a chance I will prove myself and prove my performances.”

Abid rued the fall of key wickets in the final overs, which failed Pakistan in the target chase. That came about after his partnership of 144 for the third wicket with Rizwan (104) had set Pakistan on course for the win.

“When Umar Akmal and Saad Ali got out, then we were pushed behind but otherwise we needed run-a-ball,” said Abid of the two batsmen who managed seven each.

“I was hitting my shots, but disappointed not to finish the match. You can say it was brilliant for me but I am disappointed.”
Abid dedicate his century to his daughter and family.

“I will dedicate my century to my daughter and my family,” said Abid. “To play for Pakistan was a dream and I needed the door to open and it opened for me.

“Shan (Masood) got out early, so obviously we were disappointed. But, Haris (Sohail) told me to play on, I played my shots positively and with confidence so that was what I wanted to do. I played every ball on merit.”

 

[Chokli]

Some of you acting like he's 41

 

[Syed1]

I hope he ends Imam's career. What a way to start your career. Corruption always loses.

 

[shaz72]

Really happy for him.

He is a must in WC!

Stop overhyping this just first match for him/

 

[ar2020]

He actually cost us the match. Someone please tell us how many balls he took from 40 runs to 50 runs and also from 90 runs to 100 runs.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

He actually cost us the match. Someone please tell us how many balls he took from 40 runs to 50 runs and also from 90 runs to 100 runs.

We needed a run a ball or so when he got out. Responsibility was of the middle order who were pathetic.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The question I find myself asking is why did he have to wait until he was 31 to be given an opportunity? He looks like a proper batsman with a good basic technique. Has he just recently hit form or did he go under the selectors radar for the last few years?