Picture Credit: Twitter/ ICC
Pakistan have posted a huge total against Zimbabwe in the ongoing second Test at Harare Sports Club. Babar Azam declared the innings with the score reading 510/8 in 147.1 overs just after tea on Day 2. While Azhar Ali (126 off 240) scored a brilliant century to give his side the early momentum, the star of the show was 33-year-old Abid Ali who registered his first-ever double century in Test cricket.
Abid Ali enters the history books
The Pakistani opener showed great composure and concentration to play a marathon knock to put his side in a comfortable position against Zimbabwe. He was under some pressure at the start of his innings on Day 1 and was also criticized for batting so defensively.
Read More: Twitter trolls Pakistan for their defensive approach against Zimbabwe
However, Ali continued to battle it out despite losing a few wickets at the other end. While he was lucky after getting dropped at a score of 94, Abid never looked back as he played some glorious shots in his innings. He eventually went on to complete a brilliant double century in 396 deliveries, becoming only the 22nd Pakistani player to achieve this feat. The 33-year-old reached the milestone with an attacking pull-shot off Milton Shumba as the ball sailed towards the boundary.
The dressing room instantly erupted in joy as all the members of the Pakistan team gave a standing ovation to applaud the opener's heroic knock. As soon as Ali reached the 200-run mark, he took off his helmet, looked towards heaven in relief, got a warm hug from his batting partner Nauman Ali after which he thanked Allah and performed the sajdah.
Watch the moment when Abid reached his double hundred:
Abid Ali remained unbeaten with a score of 215* off 407 deliveries as he certainly put Pakistan in the driving seat in the second Test with his brilliant knock.