(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The 31-year-old is unbeaten on 139 in the rain-interrupted match at MCG ERROR: Macro /ads/dfp-ad is missing! Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has declared Boxing Day Test century-maker Azhar Ali as one of the greatest batsman the country has produced. Riaz praised the opener's determination after Azhar hit his 12th century of his Test career and first in Australia.
The 31-year-old is unbeaten on 139 in the rain-interrupted match at MCG and needs 20 more runs to break the 44-year record for the highest score by a Pakistan batsman on Australian soil - currently held by Majid Khan who scored 158 in Melbourne in 1972.
RECAP: Rain couldn't get in the way of another ton for Azhar Ali on day 2 in Melbourne #AusvPak https://t.co/onPIXP1k9z pic.twitter.com/6pFHs8XHhJ
- ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2016 "Azhar is showing himself as one of the best batsmen Pakistan had," Wahab told reporters after the second day's play at the MCG.
"The way he has maintained an average of 46 in the last five years it shows he has scored consistently for Pakistan throughout his career.
"I wish that he scores more runs and Pakistan continue to benefit from him. He is very determined and focused and always wants to deliver for Pakistan. That's why his hard work is paying off."
Congratulations @AzharAli_ 4 completing 1000 in a calendar year magnificent 100, keep going, let's make 200 #AUSvPAK #MCG
- waqar younis (@waqyounis99) December 27, 2016 Considering Pakistan's batting struggles Down Under, it is a remarkable achievement for Azhar to come within striking distance of registering the best score by a Pakistan player in Australia. He had a nervy start to his innings on the first morning and went without a boundary for the first 94 balls before scoring fluently on the second day after resuming on 66.
He looked largely untroubled against the Australian attack, who performed admirably in the overcast conditions, and shared an important 115-run partnership with Asad Shafiq that brought Pakistan back in the game. Despite having an average of 56.62 in Tests in the last three years, which is more than any other Pakistan batsman with at least 20 innings, Azhar's scoring rates and lack of strike rotation has always been a source criticism.
Azhar Ali is a highly underrated player. This has been a real gutsy ,fighting innings. Pakistan need atleast 400 in 1st innings .#AUSvPAK
- Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 27, 2016 "Everyone has his own opinion which could be right or wrong," Wahab said. "Azhar has never taken offence over such comments. He knows what he is capable of and what his skills are. He has his own areas where he scores runs. If you look at his strike rate it is not that slow.
"So I think we should not bother about what people say. They have their own opinion. Azhar knows where he is good at, how he needs to score runs."
Pakistan's batsmen collected 55 runs from the last 10 overs and went to stumps at 6-310.
With about 80 overs already lost in the match and rain predicted in the next couple of days, Pakistan will want to put Australia in to bat as soon as possible.
The left-arm quick said while the final decision rested with captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan needed to score about 80 more runs before having a go at the Australian batsmen.
"We are still into our first innings and there aren't much runs on the board yet," Wahab said. "We can't ask Australia to bat straight away. There are still three days remaining in the match and we know that we have to take 20 wickets.
"I am not sure how much we are going to need. It is the captain's decision when to declare.
"Maybe we will look to score 70-80 more runs before putting Australia to bat and then we will try to get them out as cheaply as possible."
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