Pakistan opener Azan Awais marked his arrival on the international stage with a composed century on Test debut against Bangladesh national cricket team on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The 21-year-old resumed the third day unbeaten on 85 and completed his hundred in the 51st over of Pakistan’s innings with a single off fast bowler Nahid Rana.

Azan’s innings immediately placed him among some of Pakistan cricket’s biggest names. He became only the 14th Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut, joining players such as Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Fawad Alam.

The left-handed batter eventually fell for 103 after edging experienced pacer Taskin Ahmed, ending a patient knock that came off 165 deliveries and included 14 boundaries.

Pakistan’s dressing room applauded the youngster as he walked back after delivering one of the most memorable innings by a debutant in recent years.

Rare achievement in overseas conditions

Azan also entered another exclusive list with his century in Dhaka. He became only the third Pakistani batter to score a Test hundred on debut in away conditions.

Before him, only Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam achieved the feat. Umar scored 129 in Dunedin against New Zealand national cricket team in 2009, while Fawad struck 168 against Sri Lanka national cricket team in Colombo the same year.

Pakistan’s first-ever Test debut centurion was Khalid Ibadulla, who scored 166 against Australia national cricket team in 1964.

The country has since produced several memorable debut centuries, including Miandad’s 163 against New Zealand in 1976 and Yasir Hameed’s remarkable twin centuries against Bangladesh in 2003.

Yasir remains the only Pakistani batter to score a century in both innings of his debut Test after making 170 and 105 in Multan.

Azan’s century also continued Pakistan’s recent trend of successful debutants in red-ball cricket. Kamran Ghulam scored 114 against England cricket team in 2024, while Abid Ali made an unbeaten 109 against Sri Lanka in 2019.

Pakistan eyes batting stability

Pakistan’s team management has searched for consistency at the top of the order following several changes in recent seasons. Azan’s calm approach and ability to handle Bangladesh’s pace attack on a challenging Dhaka surface will likely strengthen his case for a permanent role in the side.

The young batter built his innings carefully and showed discipline outside off stump while rotating strike effectively. His knock also helped Pakistan recover from early pressure in the first Test of the series.

Cricket analysts in Pakistan praised the youngster’s temperament and shot selection, describing the innings as a major positive for the national team’s future Test plans.

With his maiden Test appearance, Azan has already secured a place in Pakistan cricket history and offered fans hope of another long-term batting prospect.

List of Pakistan batters to score Test century on debut: Khalid Ibadulla, Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Mohammad Wasim, Ali Naqvi, Azhar Mahmood, Younis Khan, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Abid Ali, Kamran Ghulam and Azan Awais.