The white-ball batting specialist Fakhar Zaman made his Test debut special by playing classic innings when Pakistan needed the most to rescue the side from the Australian attack on Day 1 of the second and final Test at Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (October 16).

The 28-year-old left-hander took the attack to Australia with the willow when Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon took four wickets to push Pakistan right on the back foot in the morning. But after the situation 57/5, Zaman and Captain Sarfraz Ahmed stitched a 147-run partnership for the sixth wicket to rescue Pakistan, who was eventually dismissed for 282 in the first innings at Abu Dhabi.  

Following the quick dismissals, Zaman (94 off 198 balls) realized that he had to change his natural instincts to counter the Australian attack, especially Lyon, to help the team to bring back into the game on Day 1.

Zaman told media after Day’s play, “I changed [my method] because of the situation. Before the game, I was just looking to play my natural game, but after that situation, 57/5, after that I was just looking to take the time because we weren’t in a good position to play naturally.”

On his partnership with Captain Ahmed, he noted, “Sarfraz plays spin really well always, but I was not feeling comfortable. That’s why I was just blocking the ball and taking my time.”

He also said that the Men in Green were “feeling good” after their counter-attacking partnership and then bowling show, leave Australia out at 20/2 on Tuesday.

Zaman signed off by saying, “After those wickets, we were just talking about taking our time. There was a bit of moisture in the wicket, so we were just looking to take the time because after lunch we were thinking the wicket would get better, so then we scored a lot of runs. My partnership with Sarfraz was really good; he played really well, so now we’re feeling good.”

(Input: International Cricket Council)