DUBAI – Pakistani opener Mohammad Hafeez celebrated his recall with animpressive century as Pakistan dominated the opening day of the first Testagainst Australia in Dubai on Sunday.
At the close of play, Hafeez admitted the last few months were very toughon him, having missed out on selection for the Asia Cup held in the UAElast month and then initially in the Test team.
“There were too many problems and I came to a stage where I was ready totake a drastic step (by retiring) but my wife and (former Pakistan bowler)Shoaib Akhtar stopped me. I would have been doing something else had I notbeen stopped,” he said.
Hafeez, a late inclusion in the squad after a double hundred in a domesticmatch, led the run-feast with a knock of 126 — his 10th Test hundred —during a 278-minute stay at the crease and put on 205 runs for the openingstand with Imam-ul-Haq, who made a career best 76.
Hafeez, who turns 38 later this month, was thrilled to be able to aid theteam on his comeback.
“I am really happy to score this hundred and helping the team,” saidHafeez. “We back ourselves to score 250 more runs and then put pressure onAustralia.”
Pakistan were 255-3 at the close of play, with Haris Sohail unbeaten on 15and nightwatchman Mohammad Abbas one not out as Australia’s bowlers toiledaway with little success on a flat Dubai Stadium pitch.