Pakistan’s Azam Khan has once again come into the limelight with his stunning 42-ball 97-run knock against Quetta Gladiators, played on February 24 in the 13th match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League as well. Coming in to bat at no. five, Khan hit nine fours and eight sixes to take Islamabad United to 220/6 in their first innings as well.

The innings were all the more special for the young batting sensation as he had come to bat at a time when the United were reeling at 71/4 after 9.5 overs. From there on, he added a 98-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Asif Ali in just 45 balls, to not only stabilise the innings but also accelerate the scoring rate against Gladiators.

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“The position I bat at, you know the situation is quite difficult. Either the score is about 40 for four or 180 or 160 for two, so then you need to go and finish the match. It is a really difficult role. But I am more inspired from (by) Tim David nowadays. He hits big shots and I know and understand his batting role because I play at the same position. Suryakumar often plays one down which is like top order,” Azam was quoted as saying by paktv.tv.

However, in the last three overs, Khan paced his innings and unleashed his beast mode on the Gladiators scoring 33 runs in just 10 balls as well. He was unmoved by Ali’s dismissal in the 18th over as well and he took it from there to help the Gladiators. After Ali’s dismissal, he was joined by Faheem Ashraf who ably supported Khan, giving him more chances to bat. Ashraf too made full use of the 6 balls he got to play as well, dispensing them off for two fours and one six to collect 17 runs as well.

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In reply, the Gladiators were bundled out for 157 in 19.1 overs as well. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Hasan Ali claimed three wickets each for the United.