Dismissed for a four-ball duck opening the batting in the first innings, Haider put on a stunning counter-attack in the second alongside skipper Leus du Plooy, resurrecting Derbyshire after they had been reduced to 17-4, the second time their top-order had stumbled in the match. Haider and du Plooy put on an unbeaten 231-run stand, with Haider finishing on 129* at stumps on day two.

The counter-attack had ensured Derbyshire had erased the deficit, nudging past by six runs by stumps. Du Plooy remained unbeaten on 96, having top-scored in the first innings (28) amid a dramatic capitulation, one of only two Derbyshire players to cross 20 in a 111-run total.

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Haider was aggressive against the spin of Dom Bess, hitting him for two sixes. There were attacking bursts spread across his 156-ball stay, including a hat-trick of fours against Matthew Revis. The first half-century came in 60 balls, while he brought up his fourth first-class ton from 128 deliveries, reaching both landmarks with a boundary. Even after he’d crossed his century, Haider continued the charge, hitting Bess for three fours in one over as the Derbyshire duo mounted a spectacular resistance.

Haider ended the day with 21 fours in all. Du Plooy remained four runs away from his century.

Watch highlights of Haider Ali’s century here:

Haider Ali scores his maiden century in the #LVCountyChamp!

Watch all 18 of his boundaries as he reached the milestone for @DerbyshireCCC#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/UQ2KiIx4uv

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) June 12, 2023