Imran Khan finally gets off the mark after long wait

Pakistan’s pace bowler Imran Khan has finally got a run under his name in Test cricket. Imran scored his first run in Test cricket in the second Test against New Zealand at Hamilton after coming in to bat at number eleven during Pakistan’s first innings. For the one’s who think him as a relative to legendary skipper Imran Khan. The fast bowling all-rounder certainly is not related to the senior legend of Pakistan cricket with the same name.

It was a thick edge that went past the gully region. He scampered through for a single and got his first runs in Test cricket for Pakistan. It took him 8 Tests before getting his first Test run. He is now the world record holder for taking most Tests to score first runs. His feat came in the 8th Test as against the previous record of 4 Tests. As many as 12 players shared the record with their first runs coming in their respective fourth Tests.

Imran Khan made his Test debut against Australia in Dubai in 2014. It was three consecutive successful years in domestic cricket that earned him a Test spot. Though he has been prolific with the ball in his sporadic appearances for the national outfit, he could hardly get a chance to bat. When he stepped on to bat against New Zealand in the first innings of the second Test, it was only his fifth innings with the bat in 8 Tests.

He had remained unbeaten on zero on two occasions prior to this. The thick edge that went past the gully region saw him earn his first runs in the longest format. Imran Khan was very well aware of the fact that it was his first run. He sported a cheeky smile and even raised his bat after completing the run.

He later went on to hit a boundary as well and was the last man to be dismissed in the innings before becoming Tim Southee’s 6th scalp of the innings. Pakistan bundled out for 216 in response to New Zealand’s 271 and thus giving the hosts a lead of 55 runs. Imran scored 6 off 8 deliveries in the ‘historic’ game for himself.