Dream to score a Test hundred in England: Azhar Ali

After notching up his maiden hundred outside Asia on Thursday (August 4), Azhar Ali, the Pakistan opener, said it was a 'dream' to score a Test century in England. The 31-year-old batsman struck 139, his 10th century in 48 Tests, to put the the visitors in command of the third Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

"It's always a dream for any player to come in England and score a hundred," Azhar said at the end of second day's play. "This being my first century outside Asia, makes me proud."

After coming into bat at the fall of the first wicket, without a run in Pakistan's account, he stitched a crucial 181-run stand for the second wicket with Sami Aslam, who was making his Test comeback at the expense of out-of-form Shan Masood following Pakistan's 330-run defeat at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old batted well for his 82, stroking nine boundaries and a six. However, in a bid to take an improbable single, the opener was run out by James Vince. Azhar, his batting partner, said, "It was unfortunate that he got run out. I felt sorry for him and would have loved him to have reached a hundred."

Azhar, however, went on to bring up his century and celebrated the landmark with the now-trademark push-ups celebration. Unfortunately though, he fell off the last ball of the day to Chris Woakes, edging to Alastair Cook at first slip. Admitting that he was disappointed at getting out, he added, "It could have been better had I survived the last ball."

Nonetheless, Azhar's innings helped Pakistan reach 257 for 3 at the end of day's play, 40 runs shy of England's first innings total.