Azhar slams ton on Somerset debut

AFP, LONDON: Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali marked his Somerset debut with a century as the visitors established a commanding position in their First Division County Championship match away to Worcestershire on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Azhar, a veteran of 65 Tests, made 125 off 188 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes, before he was last man out in a Somerset total of 362 for nine declared at New Road.

England off-spinner Mooen Ali did his chances of a Test recall ahead of next week's series opener against India at Edgbaston no harm with a return of five wickets for 107 runs.

Worcestershire then lost Daryl Mitchell (six) and Moeen (seven) before ending the third and penultimate day on 50 for two, leaving them needing a further 393 runs to win on Wednesday.

“I'm really happy. It is my first game for Somerset and I've been made welcome,” Azhar told the county's website.

“I really enjoyed batting out there and it was really pleasing to get some runs in the first game and hopefully I can build on that.”

Reflecting on his innings, Azhar, who played in Pakistan's drawn Test series in England earlier this season, added: “Moeen started to turn the ball out of the rough so I thought attacking him early on was the right option because if you are bogged down, they can bring a short leg into play so, I had to go after him to start with.”

 

Azhar slams ton on Somerset debut

AFP, LONDON: Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali marked his Somerset debut with a century as the visitors established a commanding position in their First Division County Championship match away to Worcestershire on Tuesday. The 33-year-old Azhar, a veteran of 65 Tests, made 125 off 188 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes, before he was last man out in a Somerset total of 362 for nine declared at New Road. England off-spinner Mooen Ali did his chances of a Test recall ahead of next weeks series opener against India at Edgbaston no harm with a return of five wickets for 107 runs. Worcestershire then lost Daryl Mitchell (six) and Moeen (seven) before ending the third and penultimate day on 50 for two, leaving them needing a further 393 runs to win on Wednesday. Im really happy. It is my first game for Somerset and Ive been made welcome, Azhar told the countys website. I really enjoyed batting out there and it was really pleasing to get some runs in the first game and hopefully I can build on that. Reflecting on his innings, Azhar, who played in Pakistans drawn Test series in England earlier this season, added: Moeen started to turn the ball out of the rough so I thought attacking him early on was the right option because if you are bogged down, they can bring a short leg into play so, I had to go after him to start with.