Scoring a century on Test debut is one of the rarest achievements in cricket. It requires exceptional skill, composure, and the ability to handle the pressure of representing your country for the first time. Pakistan has produced several batters who announced themselves on the international stage with magnificent centuries in their very first Test match.Cricketers Who Scored Centuries on Test Debut for Pakistan
One player, Yasir Hameed, even achieved the extraordinary feat of scoring centuries in both innings of his debut Test—a record unmatched by any other Pakistani. As of 2026, 14 Pakistan batters have scored a century on Test debut.
Khalid Ibadulla – 166 vs Australia (1964)
Khalid Ibadulla became the first Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut when he made 166 against Australia in Karachi in 1964.Cricketers Who Scored Centuries on Test Debut for Pakistan
His composed innings helped Pakistan secure a memorable victory and set the standard for future debutants.
Debut Highlights
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Australia |
| Venue | Karachi |
| Score | 166 |
| Year | 1964 |
Javed Miandad – 163 vs New Zealand (1976)
One of Pakistan’s greatest batters, Javed Miandad, made an unforgettable start to his Test career by scoring 163 against New Zealand in Lahore.
He went on to become one of Pakistan’s all-time leading run-scorers and one of cricket’s greatest middle-order batters.
Debut Highlights
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Opponent | New Zealand |
| Venue | Lahore |
| Score | 163 |
| Year | 1976 |
Saleem Malik – 100* vs Sri Lanka (1982)
Saleem Malik announced himself with an unbeaten 100 on Test debut against Sri Lanka.
His elegant batting laid the foundation for a successful international career spanning nearly two decades.
Mohammad Wasim – 109* vs New Zealand (1996)
Mohammad Wasim scored an unbeaten 109 against New Zealand on his Test debut in Lahore.
His century highlighted his potential as a technically sound top-order batter.
Ali Naqvi – 115 vs South Africa (1997)
Ali Naqvi impressed immediately by scoring 115 against a strong South African attack in Rawalpindi.
Although his international career was brief, his debut century remains a memorable achievement.
Azhar Mahmood – 128* vs South Africa (1997)
Known primarily as a bowling all-rounder, Azhar Mahmood stunned everyone by scoring an unbeaten 128 on debut.
His innings remains one of the finest debut performances by a Pakistani all-rounder.
Younis Khan – 107 vs Sri Lanka (2000)
Younis Khan marked his arrival with 107 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
He later became Pakistan’s greatest Test batter, finishing his career with 10,099 Test runs, the highest by any Pakistani.
Taufeeq Umar – 104 vs Bangladesh (2001)
Taufeeq Umar made 104 on debut against Bangladesh in Multan.
His patient innings demonstrated the temperament required to succeed as a Test opener.
Yasir Hameed – 170 & 105 vs Bangladesh (2003)
Yasir Hameed created history by scoring 170 in the first innings and 105 in the second against Bangladesh.
He remains the only Pakistani batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test debut, one of the rarest records in world cricket.
Debut Highlights
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Bangladesh |
| Scores | 170 & 105 |
| Unique Record | Two centuries on Test debut |
Fawad Alam – 168 vs Sri Lanka (2009)
Fawad Alam announced his arrival with a magnificent 168 in Colombo.
Despite a long absence from the national side afterward, he made a remarkable comeback years later and added several more Test centuries.
Umar Akmal – 129 vs New Zealand (2009)
Umar Akmal made an immediate impact by scoring 129 in difficult New Zealand conditions.
His aggressive stroke play made him one of Pakistan’s most exciting young talents at the time.
Why a Debut Century Is So Special
Scoring a century in a first Test match is considered one of cricket’s greatest milestones because it demonstrates:
- The ability to perform under immense pressure.
- Excellent temperament and concentration.
- Confidence against international-quality bowling.
- A dream start to an international career.
Only a small number of cricketers worldwide have achieved this feat, making Pakistan’s list of debut centurions particularly impressive.
Conclusion
Pakistan has a proud history of producing exceptional Test batters who made an immediate impact on the international stage. From Khalid Ibadulla, the country’s first debut centurion, to legends like Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, and Fawad Alam, these players announced their arrival with memorable hundreds. Yasir Hameed’s twin centuries on debut remain one of the most extraordinary achievements in Test cricket, while Kamran Ghulam and Azan Awais have continued the tradition in recent years.
These remarkable debut performances highlight the depth of batting talent Pakistan has produced and remain cherished milestones in the nation’s rich Test cricket history.
5 FAQs – Cricketers Who Scored Centuries on Test Debut for Pakistan
1. Who was the first Pakistani cricketer to score a century on Test debut?
Khalid Ibadulla was the first Pakistani batter to score a century on Test debut. He made 166 runs against Australia in Karachi in 1964, setting a memorable milestone in Pakistan’s cricket history.
2. Which Pakistani batter scored centuries in both innings of his Test debut?
Yasir Hameed is the only Pakistani cricketer to score centuries in both innings of his Test debut. He scored 170 and 105 against Bangladesh in 2003, achieving one of the rarest feats in Test cricket.
3. Who is Pakistan’s highest-scoring Test debut centurion?
Yasir Hameed holds the record for the highest score by a Pakistani on Test debut, with 170 runs in the first innings against Bangladesh in 2003.
4. How many Pakistani batters have scored a century on Test debut?
As of 2026, 14 Pakistani batters have scored a century on their Test debut, highlighting Pakistan’s rich tradition of producing talented Test batsmen.
5. Which recent Pakistani cricketers scored centuries on Test debut?
The most recent Pakistani debut centurions are Kamran Ghulam, who scored 114 against England in 2024, and Azan Awais, who made 103 against Bangladesh in 2026. Both announced their arrival in international cricket with outstanding debut performances.