Back in December 2019, Abid Ali made his Pakistan debut in the series against Sri Lanka. He got into the team after the team failed miserably in the Test series against Australia. In the first three games, Abid put forth his sheer class and calibre. In the first three Tests of his career, the Lahore, Punjab-born notched 321 runs at a stupendous average of 107 with a couple of centuries.
Based on the performances, he was also picked in Pakistan’s 16-man squad for the opening Test against England at the Old Trafford in Manchester. It didn’t spring a surprise that he made the playing eleven for the encounter. However, under overcast conditions, he couldn’t quite survive as he could only manage 16 runs off 37 balls with the help of the couple of boundaries.
In the 16th over, Jofra Archer castled him with an absolute beauty. In the first ball of the over, the England fast bowler churned out a full and straight delivery. In his previous over, he set Abid up with the short-pitched deliveries and it paid dividends. The Pakistan opener was a tad late in coming forward and his late feet movement allowed the ball to sneak in through bat and pad.
The leather cannoned into the stumps, cutting short Abid’s stay in the middle. It also broke Abid and Shan Masood’s 36-run partnership off 71 balls. Archer would have been satisfied, getting the breakthrough since the Pakistan openers were looking determined to play out the new ball. Abid will be trying to make amends if and when Pakistan get to bat in the second innings.
Here’s the video: –
Quality from Archer!
Stream the #ENGvPAK action via the CA Live app (AUS only) pic.twitter.com/2nZ51g9iSJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 5, 2020
Archer had a controversial outing in the three-match Test series against the West Indies. He started with a thunderous spell in the opening Test at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. However, ahead of the second Test, he was left out as he breached the ECB’s bio-security protocols.
Nevertheless, he managed to make the eleven for the final Test, though he got only a solitary wicket in the encounter. For the time, he will be looking to rattle the Pakistan batsmen with his vicious bouncers and yorkers.
