On This Day: October 6, 1997 - Azhar Mahmood makes his Test debut

[Gotham Cronie]

In the first Test of the three-match series, Pakistan welcomed three new players to their list of Test players in the fold of Ali Naqvi, Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Ramzan.

While the match itself turned wasn't that interesting due to passages of play lost due to bad light and a track not offering much for the bowlers, it was a memorable debut for Naqvi and Mahmood.

Naqvi became the 5th Pakistani to score a century on debut as the 20-year old opener racked up 115 runs on Day 1.

After Pakistan slipped to 231/8, Mahmood smashed his maiden first-class century in record partnerships with both Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed. It was the first occasion of two players making century on debut for the same team in the same match.

He would finish on 128* to help Pakistan recover to a first innings total of 456.

South Africa's 1st innings lasted almost two whole days in their reply to Pakistan with 403. Mahmood continued to make his mark on the match, finishing with bowling figures of 2/74 from 27 overs.

Pakistan had most of the day to bat on Day 5 as well and while South Africa struck some psychological blows by reducing them to 80/5, Mahmood had other plans by wrapping up a fine debut for him with 50* in the 2nd innings.

Scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63766.html

 

[Watsupdoc]

He was a good all-rounder and still is in my opinion. Shame that his career ended earlier then it should have for Pakistan.

 

[Hawk Eye]

He is exactly what Pakistan needs at this time, but unfortunately he is about 5-10 years too old. Still, I believe his career shouldn't have been as short as it was but then again with the likes of Afridi in top form & the X factor he posessed, Razzaq at his prime and our bowling greats Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib, he didn't stand a great chance to make it in the team anyways.

 

[WebGuru]

On This Day October 08, 1997: Century on Test Debut by Azhar Mahmood against SA

Scorecard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63766.html

Azhar came to bat after Ali Naqvi got out. Resuming after a rainy morning, Moin and Saqlain were both lbw, and Pakistan were 231 for 8.

The last two wickets, however, all but doubled the score. Waqar Younis hit two sixes (including a hook off Donald) and five fours in a Test-best 45 but mostly blocked stoutly, while Mahmood was virtually unnoticeable in his orthodox efficiency. When Waqar fell, though, and last man Mushtaq Ahmed joined him, the accumulator turned aggressor, and Mahmood struck several thumping extra-cover drives, off front and back feet. On the third morning, the last pair added another 111 delicious runs. Mahmood finished unbeaten on 128, his maiden first-class century, after 349 minutes, having struck 11 fours and a six. Mushtaq also gorged on the carcass of South Africa's shocked attack, lifting off-spinner Symcox for three sixes and a four in one over, on his way to a maiden Test fifty. Between them, they added 151 to equal the tenth-wicket Test record of New Zealanders Brian Hastings and Richard Collinge, who kept Pakistan waiting in Auckland in 1972-73.

Ali Naqvi and Azhar Mahmood became the first pair of same-team debutants to score centuries in the same Test.

 

[Justcrazy]

His batting was solid.

No doubt he would have been invaluable in shorter formats.

 

[Abdullah719]

And on today, the 8th (3rd day of the Test), he got a Test hundred on debut. Should have played more Tests.

 

[Mamoon]

Arguably the greatest Test debut in Pakistan history. He had far more potential than Razzaq in Test cricket. His career is one of the most depressing stories in Pakistan cricket.

 

[muqarrab]

In the first Test of the three-match series, Pakistan welcomed three new players to their list of Test players in the fold of Ali Naqvi, Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Ramzan.

While the match itself turned wasn't that interesting due to passages of play lost due to bad light and a track not offering much for the bowlers, it was a memorable debut for Naqvi and Mahmood.

Naqvi became the 5th Pakistani to score a century on debut as the 20-year old opener racked up 115 runs on Day 1.

After Pakistan slipped to 231/8, Mahmood smashed his maiden first-class century in record partnerships with both Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed. It was the first occasion of two players making century on debut for the same team in the same match.

He would finish on 128* to help Pakistan recover to a first innings total of 456.

South Africa's 1st innings lasted almost two whole days in their reply to Pakistan with 403. Mahmood continued to make his mark on the match, finishing with bowling figures of 2/74 from 27 overs.

Pakistan had most of the day to bat on Day 5 as well and while South Africa struck some psychological blows by reducing them to 80/5, Mahmood had other plans by wrapping up a fine debut for him with 50* in the 2nd innings.

Scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63766.html

Man what a series that was, both the first tests had poor poor pitches. They went for slow turners and the pitches were just dead. I don't know how many times i have seen that movie in pakistan after 1994. And we just cannot accept that we do not know how to make pitches that assisted our team. I would use the word shameful for the quality of the pitch in fact. Then out of nowhere they made a cracking pitch in faisalbad which unfortunately also gave assitance to fast bowlers too. Starting in the final innings of the third test match to SA tour in 98, shaun pollock was literally unplayable for our players. But really we should have made turning pitches and closed the series in the first two tests.

 

[muqarrab]

Arguably the greatest Test debut in Pakistan history. He had far more potential than Razzaq in Test cricket. His career is one of the most depressing stories in Pakistan cricket.

His drop in pace post australian tour of 2002 was pretty steep. By that time runs had also dried up. Azhar mehmood was a swing bowler who turned into mark ealham, razzaq was a swing bowler who chose to turn himself into gavin larsen....Difference between the two is that razzaq was contributing with the bat till the very end.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

What on earth happened to his batting? He never replicated his initial form even when playing first class cricket vs less skilful attacks?

 

[Loralai]

All three debutants in this game were treated harshly.

Ali Naqvi and Ramzan both deserved more opportunities at the highest level. It is a shame as someone like Ramzan had a good, tight technique and was a much better prospect than some others.

Ali Naqvi proved he had the mettle to succeed but was not supported when he lost touch. He was another good player who deserved an extended run.

Remarkable to think how these guys were treated when we look at the countless chances given to tried and tested failures like Hafeez and Shafiq.

 

[sweep_shot]

Azhar started off really well but never quite cemented his spot in Test format. He was pretty good in ODI though.