Azan Awais credits partners for instilling confidence after maiden Test ton

Pakistan batter Azan Awais said on Sunday that he was determined to show his batsmanship after being hit on the head by Nahid Rana on the second day of the opening Test.

Awais, who resumed Day 3 on 85, scored his maiden Test hundred against Bangladesh.

"When I was facing my first ball, I was a little bit nervous. However, once I scored my first run, all the frustration and nervousness went away," Awais told reporters after the third day's play.

"When the ball hit my helmet, I zoned out for about five minutes. Then, I realized it was time to show them who I am," he said.

"Especially when I was walking out to bat, I was nervous, but Alhamdulillah, I performed very well for my country," he said, adding that his partners, especially Imam-ul-Haq, gave him a lot of confidence.

"They gave me confidence throughout the innings, and we built good partnerships. Imam bhai, especially, gave me a lot of confidence and shared his experience," he said.

Awais added that he was prepared for the Test challenge due to his success in domestic cricket, having scored 10 centuries in 33 first-class matches.

"Over the last one and a half years, I played 33 first-class matches and performed really well. It has always been my dream to play Test cricket," said Awais.

"In international Test cricket, there are always difficulties because bowlers come with a set plan. You have to navigate your way out of that pressure," he said.

Awais also stated that he was prepared to play on the green top in Mirpur.

"In the last one and a half years of domestic cricket, we encountered all kinds of pitches. We had experience with heavy dew, so we knew how to play on a green track," he said.

Awais, known for being calm, celebrated loudly after reaching his hundred.

"It was my first hundred and I am usually very calm, I just did a normal celebration. It was a highly blessed moment," said Awais.

"They (my family) are all very happy because they have supported me a lot. It is a very blessed moment for me," he said.

"I think my father supported me a lot and coached me initially. After that, I found a coach in Mansoor Amjad. I worked with Mohammad Yousuf bhai, and at the SNGPL department. Everywhere I went, I met different coaches who improved my technique, so I am very thankful to all of them," he concluded.