Awesome Azhar topples Imran, Majid

205 Runs scored by Azhar Ali, the first ever double-hundred in Tests by a Pakistan batsman on Australian soil. The highest score before today was 158 by Majid Khan recorded 44 years ago, also at the MCG, in 1972. Azhar started the third day at 139 and finished unbeaten on 205 - the second-highest score at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by a visiting batsman behind only 208 by Sir VivRichards in 1984.

33 Years since a Pakistan batsman has scored 150-plus in Australia. Azhar, 31, was not even born the last time it happened, in 1983 when Mohsin Khan scored 152 in Melbourne.

2 Opening batsmen from Asia who have scored a double ton in Australia. The only other Asian opener to post a 200 in Tests in Australia is India’s Ravi Shastri – 206 at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1992.

7 Batsmen in Test history who have scored a triple century and a double-century in the same calendar year. The six before Azhar were Kumar Sangakkara and Brendon McCullum (2014), Michael Clarke (2012), Virender Sehwag (2008), Don Bradman (twice in 1934 and 1930) and Wally Hammond (1933).

Azhar is also the first Pakistan batsman to score two scores of 200 or more in Tests in a calendar year. He had scored 302 not out previously against West Indies a pink-ball Test in Dubai. The closest before him to get two double-centuries in a year was Mohammad Yousuf who scored 202 against England at Lord’s in 2006, and three scores in the 190s that same year.

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364 Deliveries faced by Azhar Ali in the innings, the most by a Pakistan batsman in Australia. The previous record was held by the legendary Imran Khan who stayed at the crease for 361 balls in Adelaide in 1990.

1155 Runs scored by Azhar Ali this year, the third highest tally in Tests by a Pakistan batsman in calendar year with one more possible innings to come. Only Younis Khan (1179 runs in 2006) and Mohammad Yousuf (1788 in 2006) have scored more than him in a year.

118 Runs scored in the partnership between Azhar and Sohail Khan, in just 19.5 overs. It is Pakistan’s highest stand for any wicket in the series. It is also Pakistan’s highest-ever eighth wicket partnership in Tests against Australia, beating 111 between Imran Khan and Majid Khan in Lahore in 1980.

7 Sixes hit by Sohail Khan in 2016, the most by any Pakistan batsman this year. Four of them came in his run-a-ball 65 against Australia at the MCG. He also hit consecutive sixes for the second time in a month, having also achieved the feat against New Zealand in Hamilton last month. Since 2000, just six Pakistan batsmen - Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sohail - have hit two sixes in two balls in Tests.

26 Years since Pakistan last declared an innings in Australia. Before today the last time it happened was when they scored 9-387 and declared in Adelaide in 1990 under the captaincy of Imran Khan.

2 Captains who have declared the innings in Tests with a batsman not out in 190s. There was a chance that Misbah would become the third to make a ruthless call when Azhar walked off for lunch not out at 196 but he gave time to the batsman to complete 200.  West Indies’s Gerry Alexander and India’s Rahul Dravid are the only two captains to make this controversial call. The former declared when Sir Frank Worrell was not out on 197 against England in Barbados in 1960 whereas the latter did it with Sachin Tendulkar just six away from double ton against Pakistan in Multan in 2004.

38 Australian bowlers to take 100 wickets in Tests. Josh Hazlewood is the latest and fourth youngest (25 years and 355 days) to reach the milestone. The youngest are: Graham McKenzie (23 years and 163 days in 1964), Shane Warne (24 years and 141 days in 1994) and Craig McDermott (25 years and 321 days in 1991).

15 Wicketkeepers from Australia to have 50 dismissals in Tests. Matthew Wade is the latest doing it in his 15th Test. The quickest to the milestone is Adam Gilchrist who accounted for 50 dismissals in just 11 matches. 

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