Sharjah // For the second day in succession, a cricketer who is trying to establish himself at the top level of the game departed looking crestfallen after his hour of triumph.
Like Dilruwan Perera, who hit the highest overseas score by a Sri Lankan debutant on Day 2 – yet missed out on a ton – Ahmed Shahzad looked totally aghast when he was dismissed on Saturday.
He was taking the concept of the immovable batsman to extremes when he stood static at his crease for a lengthy spell after somehow dragging a wide delivery from Rangana Herath on to his stumps.
He could reflect on a job well done, though, having posted his first Test century in his third match for Pakistan in the five-day format.
Given the form he had showed during his 147, he must have thought a daddy-hundred was there for the taking.
“It was like a dream come true,” the 22-year-old Pakistan opener said. “First of all, this has been my debut series and I have made a century so it is a dream for me.
“I am trying to focus on the future as well, stay humble and try to contribute as much as I can for my country.”
Shahzad already has four centuries to his name in 40 one-day internationals. His method here was far different, seeing as his century took 230 balls to arrive.
He threw off the shackles shortly afterwards, reverting to limited-overs mode in particular when he launched a gorgeous six into the grandstand.
“This is Test cricket and you have to play according to the conditions,” he said.
“We were just playing normal cricket in the beginning and after that the captain gave us a plan as the day went on.
“Our first plan was to negotiate the new ball and then we needed to score some runs after that and I think we have done well.”
pradley@thenational.ae
