Sami Aslam, the newest member of the team’s test squad, scored 82 and 70, respectively in his two outings and earned praised from all and sundry due to his flawless technique.
Helped by nine fours and a six, Aslam hit 82 runs in first innings. Second innings saw him hit 11 fours to make a total of 70 runs. A rare misjudgement by the 20-year-old left-hander saw him bowled by Finn as he deliberately left the ball.
Related: Moeen Ali seals England’s crushing win over Pakistan
Despite the 141-run loss, experts like Jarrod Kimber, Michael Holding and a number of other fans praised Aslam’s performance with Kimber comparing him to Australian great Justin Langer.
“Aslam appeared unperturbed. He blocked the good ones and hit the bad ones, occasionally smacking the ball high and hard over a ring of close fielders to relieve the pressure and show the bowlers that they couldn’t have it all their own way. His temperament was good, refusing to waste energy engaging with the sledges and comments that would be coming from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England’s bowlers with 215 Test matches and a fair few curses between them,” wrote Wisden India.
I’m calling two things on Sami Aslam, he’s got a bit of Justin Langer about him. And I think his nickname should be Aslam the magic man.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) August 4, 2016
Sami Aslam now averages 100 in the UK. — Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) August 7, 2016
Sami Aslam is no doubt find-and-a-half. Facing the English hounds like a hearty hare. Let’s see how long he survives as they tower over him.
— aamir ghauri (@aamirghauri) August 7, 2016
Whoops but kudos to Sohail n Rahat Ali and well done to Sami Aslam! — Ebba Qureshi (@EbbaQ) August 7, 2016
Noooooooo!!! What a brilliant innings by Sami Aslam, for sure deserved triple figures. Next time iA #PakVsEng
— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) August 7, 2016
Some of the leaves from Sami Aslam have been as good as cracking shots. What fine decision making and England bowlers wud know it #ENGvPAK — Nabeel Hashmi (@HashmeNabeel) August 4, 2016
It was Sami Aslam vs England. pic.twitter.com/eawQATq3H8 — Syed Hamid Falki (@shahfalki) August 7, 2016
Sami Aslam 70 runs vs England in 3rd Test 2016 https://t.co/zOP1Uf7iis via @YouTube — muhammad shahid (@muhammad48567) August 7, 2016
“Sami Aslam played tremendous knocks in both innings under pressure. It’s good to find such an opener” Misbah — Rimsha Khan ❤❤ (@rimshaKhan82) August 7, 2016
Sami Aslam brings up his second half-century of the match. Pakistan look like they’ve found a player in the 20-year-old opener. #ENGvPAK — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) August 7, 2016
Excellent batting by young Sami Aslam.Didnt flinch from his game plan which is built around good defence. Left the ball beautifully. — Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) August 4, 2016