Former Pakistan Under-19 batter Azan Awais continued his rich form in first-class cricket with another century during a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match between Sialkot and Islamabad.
Batting first, Sialkot mounted a total of 407. Their innings was spearheaded by 21-year-old Awais, who resumed on his overnight score of 99 not out off 135 balls, to get to a hundred on day two. Awais eventually made 134 off 185 balls, hitting 17 fours and two sixes.
Earlier in the innings, the left-hander was retired hurt in the 22nd over before returning to bat at 282-5. He received support from Aashar Mehmood, who bludgeoned a 49-ball 73, and Mohammad Waleed, who scored 59 from 102 balls.
That was Awais’s seventh hundred in 19 first-class matches; he also has seven fifties. This score of 134 is also his third-highest in the format behind 168 (v Lahore Whites, 2024) and 203 not out (v Peshawar, 2024).
Also read: First in four years: Star Pakistan quick starts off Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with five-for
In response, the Islamabad Region were bowled out for 186, conceding a 221-run first-innings lead. Sialkot's wrecker-in-chief was Athar Mahmood, who picked up 5-43 for his second first-class five-wicket haul. His first (6-40) came in a match between Northern and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2022.
Match 17, Sialkot vs Islamabad
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Who is Azan Awais?
Awais was part of Pakistan’s squad during their run to the semi-finals of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. He scored 52 in the semi-final against Australia, albeit in a losing cause. His other half-century (63 not out) in the tournament came against Nepal. Awais finished with 147 runs at an average of 36.75.
Since making his debut last year, the 21-year-old Awais has enjoyed a rapid start to his first-class career. His run tally now stands at 1,724 at an average of 57.63 in 19 matches (32 innings). He played a major role in Sialkot becoming champions last season, finishing as the highest run-getter of the tournament with 844 runs at an average of 76.72.
In the List A format, Awais has so far scored 230 runs in seven matches at an average of 32.85 and a strike-rate of 75.16, including three fifties. He is yet to make his T20 debut.
