Fakhar cherishes his record Test debut

abu dhabi - Fakhar became the first Pakistani opener to score back-to-back fifties

Pakistan, a team in transition, got two 28-year-olds showing mettle against Australia in the crucial Test decider at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Pacer Mohammad Abbas, the player of the series from the drawn Test against England, and batsman Fakhar Zaman, the Test trainee who never got a chance to take the field in the UK, both soaked pressure and prospered against Australia.
On second day of the Test match, Abbas ripped apart Australian line-up with five for 33 runs to be the joint second fastest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets and Fakhar scored 66 runs to be the first Pakistani opener to score back-to-back fifties.
Abbas said adaptability is the key to success in such unpredictable wickets. "I was player of series in England series and have continued to focus on my strengths to perform well. I adapt to situation and change strategy according to opponents."
Abbas tried hard to reach record 50 wickets in nine Test matches but didn't succeed and was glad to have finally grabbed it. "I will give credit to physio (Cliff Deacon) for me playing this Test. I got a jolt in my neck while practicing and was a bit worried but he persuaded me to go on and I am happy that I did."
Fakhar, a top-notch ODI and T20 batsman, was never in the reckoning for a Test berth in Abu Dhabi. He was, in fact, on his return flight to Pakistan. An injury to Imam-ul-Haq gave him an opportunity and he made a startling statement here with knocks of 94 and 66 runs.
"It is Mickey Arthur who prepared me for Test cricket. He kept me as an extra player with the Test squad during the tour of England," he said. "I'm a bit disappointed as I couldn't convert my scores into a century. In the first innings, I was playing my natural game but then we reached a situation (57 for five wickets) and I had to change my game. But in the second innings we were in a good position and I decided to play my shots from the start."
He noted that Abu Dhabi's flat wicket was breaking and key was to adapt to situation. "I adjust my game according to the nature of the wicket. If it assists batsman, I play my natural game and if not then I take time and adjust."