Pakistan's Abid Ali plays a shot during the first Test against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong (photo: AFP)
Syed Faiz Ahmed from Chittagong
Publish : 28 Nov 2021, 09:32 AMUpdate : 29 Dec 2021, 04:48 PM
Pakistan batsman Abid Ali said their first-class setup helped him grow in confidence and thanks to that he is getting success in the Test level as well.
Opener Abid remained not out on 93 at stumps on day two against Bangladesh in their first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Saturday and expressed confidence of adding many more runs in his so far chanceless innings.
Abid made his debut at the ripe age of 32 two years ago but he is compensating the late entry in the Test arena by showcasing constant performances as he has already reached the 1,000-run mark in just 15 Tests, including three centuries.
“The most important thing was our first-class setup, I got confidence from there. Here I got the support from my team management. They analyzed the bowling of opponents and with my confidence from the first class I set my mind for doing better. I got success doing so,” said Abid after the end of the day’s play Saturday.
Abid’s 22-year old opening partner Asadullah Shafique made his debut but looked very composed as he remained not out on 52 to help their side reach 145/0 replying to Bangladesh’s 330 and Abid believes despite the pitch starting to aid the spinners, they will be able to put a big first innings score.
“Debutants always feel pressure but I told him not to be tensed. We will wait and utilize the bad balls. It was a new day, new target and we looked to utilize the bad balls. The ball was getting low a little bit and there was also some spin. But we remained positive. Our target was to play with positive intent. I was successful in utilizing bad balls," said the right-handed Abid.
“As the ball became old with the evening approaching, it was spinning, gripping and started doing all sorts of things. We will look forward to stay in the wicket and our first target will be to reach 330 and then we will eye to achieve a big lead that will help our bowlers,” he added.
Earlier on the day Bangladesh resumed on 253/4 and looked to put on a big total but Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, who got just one wicket on the first day, wrecked havoc by picking up four wickets in the morning session to pick another five-wicket haul.
“[Friday] we had picked early wickets but they came back strongly afterwards by forming that partnership and we were looking forward to take advantage of the early morning. We planned to bowl in the right area and let them made the mistake and eventually that had happened as we bowled in the right area and they made the mistakes," said Hasan.
“ I am happy for my success as I picked five wickets. This pitch is not easy for fast bowlers as the pitch is slow and the ball is coming to the bat nicely and you have seen that our openers batted well and all we wanted was to book them as early as possible,” he added.
Abid: FC setup helps grow my confidence in Tests
Pakistan batsman Abid Ali said their first-class setup helped him grow in confidence and thanks to that he is getting success in the Test level as well.
Opener Abid remained not out on 93 at stumps on day two against Bangladesh in their first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Saturday and expressed confidence of adding many more runs in his so far chanceless innings.
Abid made his debut at the ripe age of 32 two years ago but he is compensating the late entry in the Test arena by showcasing constant performances as he has already reached the 1,000-run mark in just 15 Tests, including three centuries.
“The most important thing was our first-class setup, I got confidence from there. Here I got the support from my team management. They analyzed the bowling of opponents and with my confidence from the first class I set my mind for doing better. I got success doing so,” said Abid after the end of the day’s play Saturday.
Abid’s 22-year old opening partner Asadullah Shafique made his debut but looked very composed as he remained not out on 52 to help their side reach 145/0 replying to Bangladesh’s 330 and Abid believes despite the pitch starting to aid the spinners, they will be able to put a big first innings score.
“Debutants always feel pressure but I told him not to be tensed. We will wait and utilize the bad balls. It was a new day, new target and we looked to utilize the bad balls. The ball was getting low a little bit and there was also some spin. But we remained positive. Our target was to play with positive intent. I was successful in utilizing bad balls," said the right-handed Abid.
“As the ball became old with the evening approaching, it was spinning, gripping and started doing all sorts of things. We will look forward to stay in the wicket and our first target will be to reach 330 and then we will eye to achieve a big lead that will help our bowlers,” he added.
Earlier on the day Bangladesh resumed on 253/4 and looked to put on a big total but Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali, who got just one wicket on the first day, wrecked havoc by picking up four wickets in the morning session to pick another five-wicket haul.
“[Friday] we had picked early wickets but they came back strongly afterwards by forming that partnership and we were looking forward to take advantage of the early morning. We planned to bowl in the right area and let them made the mistake and eventually that had happened as we bowled in the right area and they made the mistakes," said Hasan.
“ I am happy for my success as I picked five wickets. This pitch is not easy for fast bowlers as the pitch is slow and the ball is coming to the bat nicely and you have seen that our openers batted well and all we wanted was to book them as early as possible,” he added.
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