Test Debut Century: Since Pakistan started playing Test cricket in 1952, the country has produced many great cricketers, especially fast bowlers. However, Pakistan has also had some excellent batsmen. Some of these players did something special right from the start of their careers—they scored a century in their Test debut match.
Pakistan’s cricket history has had its ups and downs, but these debut century-makers have given the team and its fans moments of pride. Scoring a century in Test cricket is a big achievement, and doing it on debut shows great skill and confidence. While some of these players became legends, others didn’t play for long, but their first innings will always be remembered.
A Look at Pakistan’s Test Cricket History
Pakistan played their first Test match in 1952 against India in Delhi. Since then, they have played more than 450 Test matches. In the early years, fast bowlers like Fazal Mahmood, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis were the stars. But over time, Pakistan also produced some great batsmen, especially from the 1990s onward. Legends like Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Younis Khan helped Pakistan become known not just for bowling, but for batting too.
Out of all the batsmen who have played for Pakistan, 13 players managed to score a century on their Test debut. This is a great achievement, especially in the tough Test format.
Yasir Hameed’s Special Achievement
Yasir Hameed’s debut in 2003 against Bangladesh stands out. He is the only Pakistani cricketer to score centuries in both innings of his debut Test match. He made 170 and 105, placing him in a very elite group of cricketers worldwide.
List of Pakistani Centurions on Test Debut
Out of the 257 players who have represented Pakistan in Test cricket, only 13 have scored a century on debut. These players made a huge impact right from their first game. Here’s a closer look at them:
| Player | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalid Ibadulla | 166 | Australia | Karachi | 1964 |
| Javed Miandad | 163 | New Zealand | Lahore | 1976 |
| Saleem Malik | 100* | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 1982 |
| Mohammad Wasim | 109* | New Zealand | Lahore | 1996 |
| Ali Naqvi | 115 | South Africa | Rawalpindi | 1997 |
| Azhar Mahmood | 128* | South Africa | Rawalpindi | 1997 |
| Younis Khan | 107 | Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi | 2000 |
| Taufeeq Umar | 104 | Bangladesh | Multan | 2001 |
| Yasir Hameed | 170, 105 | Bangladesh | Karachi | 2003 |
| Fawad Alam | 168 | Sri Lanka | Colombo | 2009 |
| Umar Akmal | 129 | New Zealand | Dunedin | 2009 |
| Abid Ali | 109* | Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi | 2019 |
| Kamran Ghulam | 114 | England | Multan | 2024 |
Conclusion
Scoring a century on debut in Test cricket is a rare and proud achievement. These Pakistani batsmen have made their mark in cricket history with their outstanding performances. While some went on to have long careers, others did not, but their debut innings will always be remembered. Their contributions continue to inspire young cricketers in Pakistan.
Also Read: Top 5 Highest Scores In Test Cricket by Indian Captains
