Didn’t bother about Aussie sledging, says Pakistan centurion Haris Sohail

Australia might not be the same team they used to be but the Baggy Greens have not shed their old habit of teasing the opposition into submission. They have been found doing the same in the ongoing first Test match against Pakistan in Dubai though it has not succeeded much in affecting the home team.

Pakistan produced a far better batting display compared to what they did in the recently held Asia Cup and put up 482 runs in their first innings. Two batsmen – Mohammad Hafeez (126) and Haris Sohail (110) scored tons to take their side to a strong position. Of the duo, Sohail hit his first Test century and said that he did not pay much attention to the opponent’s remarks on the ground.

The 29-year-old batsman, who is playing only his sixth Test, said after the second day’s play on Monday, “I am an innocent guy (laughs). When they tried to sledge me, I didn’t even look at them. On a couple of occasions when they sledged, I turned a deaf year on it.”

Sohail, who made his international debut in 2013, played his first Test only in 2017 and had to work hard to regain his fitness after a two-year gap because of a knee injury.

“You guys know about my struggle due to my knee injury. Few things were not going in my favour. I worked on it and got things going for me. It means a lot when you are playing for your country, and when you score your maiden Test hundred, it means a lot, more than anything,” he said.

Sohail put up 150 runs with Asad Shafiq

Sohail had put up 150 runs with Asad Shafiq (80) for the fifth wicket and Pakistan were on their way to register 500-plus runs. But once Shafiq departed, the home side kept losing wickets regularly and stopped short of 500. For Australia, pacer Peter Siddle, who has experience of playing in these parts, was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 58 runs.

Sohail felt the pitch wasn’t great for scoring and the outfield was also slow and that made the Pakistani total a good one. Australia ended the day at 30 for no loss with Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch holding the fort.

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