Azhar Ali has started a hectic period of Test cricket which could see him reach a magnificent personal milestone.
Worcestershire’s 2022 and 2023 overseas player is currently playing his 96th Test for Pakistan – against England in Rawalpindi – since making his debut against Australia at Lord’s 12 years ago.
He admitted before leaving New Road at the end of September that clocking up 100 Tests will “be a great achievement for me.”
Now Pakistan have five Tests against England and New Zealand by the first week of January which could take Azhar to three figures if selected for all of them.
Azhar is set to go to the wicket on day three (Saturday) of the first Test against England in Rawalpindi when Pakistan will resume on 181-0 in reply to their opponents 657 all out.
He has geared up for the hectic period ahead with some superb form for Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Azhar scored 598 runs at an average of 85.42 in his six matches with three centuries.
In addition to the first Test, Pakistan will play England in Multan (December 9) and Karachi (December 17) and then New Zealand in Karachi (December 27) and Multan (January 4).
Azhar will be looking to add to his 7,030 Test runs at an average of 42.60 with 19 hundreds.
