Haider Ali: The rookie Pakistani batsman impressed one and all on the back of his maiden half-century on T20I debut at Old Trafford.
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During the third T20I of the ongoing Pakistan’s tour of England in Manchester, Pakistan debutant batsman Haider Ali became the first Pakistani batsman to score a half-century on T20I debut.
Brought into the playing XI in place of veteran all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali justified his position by giving strong hints of belonging at this level.
Coming in to bat at No. 3 in the second over, Haider ran a single on the first ball that he faced only to hit the second one off England all-rounder Moeen Ali for a six. Despite Pakistan losing captain Babar Azam (21) in the fifth over, Haider hit a confident boundary off Tom Curran in the same over.
Having hit two consecutive boundaries off Chris Jordan in the following over, Haider enticed eyeballs towards him after striking at 220 on his first 10 deliveries.
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What followed was a 100-run partnership for the third wicket between 19-year old Haider and 39-year old Mohammad Hafeez. The duo scored quick and eye-catching runs to lay a solid foundation to aid Pakistan to score 190/4 in their allotted quota of 20 overs.
It was on the last delivery of the 12th over that Haider hit a boundary off England all-rounder Lewis Gregory to complete his half-century. While Jordan put an end to Haider’s stay in the 15th over, the latter had done exceedingly well till then to score 54 (33) inclusive of five fours and two sixes.
Having completed 2,000 runs in the format in the previous match, Hafeez registered his career-best score tonight by scoring 86* (52) with the help of four fours and six sixes. With bowling figures of 4-0-29-2, Jordan was the pick of the English bowlers.
Haider Ali dismissal on T20I debut
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