LONDON: Pakistan’s Azhar Ali made an unbeaten double century as he helped Worcestershire rewrite the record books in an English County Championship match against Leicestershire on Friday.
Azhar and former England Under-19 international Jack Haynes put on 281 for the third wicket — a record partnership against Leicestershire, surpassing the 278 by Cyril Walters and Harold Gibbons in 1934.
Their stand was the cornerstone of Worcestershire’s 456 for three, a lead of 308, at stumps on the second day of four at New Road.
Haynes was eventually dismissed for 127 but Azhar reached his double century in the final over of the day with a cover drive for four off Rehan Ahmed.
By that stage Azhar had faced 328 balls, with one six and 18 fours, and also shared in another century stand with Brett D’Oliveira (52 not out).
Azhar arrived at New Road, Worcestershire’s headquarters, after a successful Test series against Australia which included a marathon 185 spanning 11 hours at Rawalpindi.
The 37-year-old struggled at first with the change to English conditions and his opening six innings for Midlands county Worcestershire yielded 34 runs.
But the former Pakistan captain has found his form since hitting 92 against a Durham attack including new England skipper Ben Stokes.
Pakistan’s Azhar Ali makes unbeaten double hundred in English county game
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Pakistan’s Azhar Ali makes unbeaten double hundred in English county game
- Azhar reached his double century in the final over of the day with a cover drive for four
- Azhar arrived at Worcestershire’s headquarters after a successful Test series against Australia
Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing
- Pakistan suffered 61-run defat at India’s hands, must beat Namibia on Wednesday to advance further
- Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq says team has worked on mistakes, has resolved not to repeat them
COLOMBO: Spinner Usman Tariq said Tuesday he was confident that Pakistan can bounce back from their T20 World Cup drubbing against India and seal qualification for the next round.
India’s 61-run romp means Pakistan must beat Namibia in their final match in Colombo on Wednesday to qualify for the Super Eights.
A defeat would eliminate Pakistan, who are third behind the USA on net run rate in Group A.
It would also leave an outside chance for the Netherlands to qualify, but they would need a big win over co-hosts India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
“Lifting the team is only difficult when you don’t work on your mistakes committed in the last game,” Tariq told reporters.
“We have worked on our mistakes so I think it will not be a tough task.
“We have a resolve not to commit the same mistakes again.”
Pakistan were criticized for asking India to bat then folding meekly for 114 in 18 overs chasing a stiff 176 target.
“We can feel their (fans’) disappointment because the match is watched by the whole nation,” Tariq said.
“So we feel their pain but I am sure when we play them (India) next we will put up a better show.”
Tariq dismissed rumors that batting star Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi could be dropped against Namibia after poor performances against India.
“Both Azam and Shaheen have won many matches for Pakistan so if they did not perform well in one game we should not write them off,” said Tariq.
Pakistan have faced Namibia only once before in a T20 international.
“Whoever we play we have the confidence to beat them and our goal is to play the final and win the cup which we will try our best to achieve.”
Namibia have lost all three of their group matches.
