Pakistan v Australia: Imam-ul-Haq's maiden Test ton puts hosts on top on historic day

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq hit a sublime maiden Test century to put the hosts on top on day one of Australia's first tour of the country for 24 years.

Imam remained unbeaten on 132, with Azhar Ali 64 not out, as Pakistan closed on 245-1 in Rawalpindi.

The left-hander roared and punched the air in delight after reaching his ton in his first Test appearance for over two years after being dropped.

«I cannot explain how I'm feeling right now,» he said.

«I had belief that if I got an opportunity I would make it count.»

Imam has scored seven one-day international centuries but had struggled to convert his talent to the longest format cricket in his previous 11 Tests.

His last Test was against Australia in Adelaide in November 2019, where he made two and a duck, leading to him being left out for the entirety of 2020 and an unused squad member against Bangladesh last year.

He made the most of his recall on a historic day for Pakistan cricket, scoring all around the ground on a flat pitch against Australia's lauded bowling attack.

It is Australia's first tour of Pakistan since 1998.

No international cricket was played in Pakistan for six years following an attack on the Sri Lanka team by gunmen in Lahore in 2009, with the majority of their home matches being held in the United Arab Emirates instead.

Touring teams began to return in 2015 and Pakistan hosted their first home men's Test for 12 years when Sri Lanka travelled there in 2019.

«Coming to Pakistan to play Test cricket is the ultimate,» added Imam, who is playing a Test in his native country for the first time.

«I'm thankful to Australia that they've come.

»The crowd was outstanding — Pakistan needs that and I hope I contributed to that throughout the day."

Imam put on an opening stand