Fawad Alam hits 2nd Test 100 in lost NZ match

Fawad Alam’s heroic ton went in vain as the home team won the first Test by 101 runs in Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui stadium on Wednesday.

Eleven years, five months and 16 days on from that other lifetime when he scored his first Test hundred, Fawad pulled Wagner behind square – that shot had served him well both in defence and attack – past a diving deep fielder to bring up a second Test hundred.

The last one he scored was way back in 2009 when he hit 168 on Test debut against Sri Lanka while opening the innings. Since then Alam has played just six Tests having made a comeback in 2020.

Fawad Alam:

1st Test hundred 👉 13 July, 2009
2nd Test hundred 👉 30 December, 2020

Never give up 💪 pic.twitter.com/3Iu9pvDQ2I

— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2020

Babar Azam’s injury gave him another go and yet he proved to be an ace for the team.

The Green Caps began the final day’s play at 71-3 in chase of 373-run target with Azhar Ali and Fawad batting at 34 and 21 respectively.

He put on a 165-run partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan who scored a gritty half-century as well. 380 balls faced by Alam and Rizwan during their partnership – the second-longest stand for Pakistan in Tests.

New Zealand bowlers hand their side a memorable 101-run win despite fighting knocks from Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan.#NZvPAK REPORT 👇

— ICC (@ICC) December 30, 2020

The wicketkeeper-batsman’s dismissal sparked a collapse as he was trapped leg-before by Kyle Jamieson for 60 while Fawad, who hit 14 boundaries in his 102-run knock, was caught behind on the bowling of Neil Wagner.

Fawad, Rizwan's epic resistance ends in heartbreak as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs.#NZvPAK Report: https://t.co/jCytz1HmnK#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/vkrSVFmiEh

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2020

The tail-end pair of pacemen Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah provided resistance to salvage a draw but it wasn’t to be as the latter was caught and bowled by Santner for one with just four more overs to go.

The moment New Zealand became the No. 1 Test team for the very first time!

Good fight from Pakistan but NZ are too good and too strong at home. Good game.pic.twitter.com/WkiNIsc6NY

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 30, 2020

Here are some reactions by cricketing experts on Fawad’s resilient innings:

The hard grind of 1st class cricket is so underrated. Fawad Alam 👏🏼👏🏼 #PAKvNZ

— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) December 30, 2020

Fawad Alam’s hard work, patience and determination has proved that those who ignored him for 11 years were wrong. Fawad has also showed after being grilled in domestic cricket your confidence goes high. Well done @iamfawadalam25 #PAKvNZ

— Mirza Iqbal Baig (@mirzaiqbal80) December 30, 2020

Just want to ask those who ignored Fawad Alam for eleven years. Isn’t it a shame? It’s not the hundred, just see the meaning, the purpose behind it. Guts, self belief & commitment reflected. Not replying but still Fawad is asking a question. Why was he ignored?

— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) December 30, 2020

YES HE WILL!! Well batted Fawad Alam! @TheRealPCB #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/u3I667rh4Z

— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) December 30, 2020

Just imagine if Fawad Alam was playing between 2009-2019, he would’ve been in the next level by now. Sadly there’s no accountability; someone should’ve questioned the selectors. All I can say is “Aaj Sharam to Aati hogi”

Well done Fawad Alam 👏 #PAKvNZ

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) December 30, 2020

360+ mins on wicket for Fawad Alam. The longest a Pakistani batsman has survived outside Asia in 4th innings of a Test in 21st century.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) December 30, 2020

Fawad Alam is a genuine middle-order batsman. They made him open on Test debut in SL and he scored a 100. In next series, they put him at 3 in NZ cos seniors Yousuf & Malik didn't want to move up. Fawad failed and dropped for 10 years. He's playing this Test cos Babar is injured.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 30, 2020

when Fawad Alam was dropped from the XI Salman Butt had never been captain of Pakistan, Spain had never won a World Cup, Lebron didn't have ring & Djokovic had won one Slam.

It's so long back that Bin Laden was still alive in Abbottabad probably thinking k Fadi k sath ziadti hui

— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) December 30, 2020

Guts, determination and skill from Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan after the early loss of Azhar Ali #NZvPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 30, 2020

Later PCB released a video in this fawad talked about his patience and test performance…

Fawad Alam on his gutsy innings in the first #NZvPAK Test and celebration!#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/VgSiU3xvMo

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 30, 2020

What do you think of Fawad’s innings? Let The Current know in the comments