PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Breaks captaincy Records With 9th Test Century Against New Zealand: Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has given a befitting reply to his haters after scoring a dazzling century in the Test against New Zealand.
It has been one of the hardest time for Pakistan cricket as well as for captain Babar Azam, after the team suffered a humiliating whitewash against England at home. It was the first time ever the team was whitewashed on their homeland.
Subsequently, Ramiz Raja was removed from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman position as well as from the Muhammad Wasim-led selection panel.
The humiliating loss, raised questions on Babar’s leadership as well. But during the ongoing test against the Kiwis. He shut the mouths of his critics in style, by scoring a stunning 100 on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand in Karachi.
Pakistan had a horror start on Monday after they lost three wickets for just 48 runs in 15 overs. Saud Shakeel looked like a revival the team needed, however his 62-run partnership with Azam was cut short by the Kiwi skipper Tim Southee.
Pakistan needed a solid partnership to sustain, but most importantly, the team needed their skipper to step in and play his best game, and so he did!
Azam found some notable partnerships with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Ahmed was playing his first Test match after almost four years. He last played against South Africa in 2019.
Azam on the other hand made sure to step up as a captain for his squad and put up a good fight against New Zealand. In the process, he scored his ninth Test century.
PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Breaks Records
By scoring that century, Azam broke the records of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting. Ponting held the world record for most fifty-plus scores in international cricket in a calendar year. Ponting set the record in 2005 of scoring 24 50+.
It took 17 long years for the record to be broken by Azam, who successfully surpassed the tally to score his 25th fifty-plus score in Karachi.
His new record includes 17 fifties and eight centuries. These eight centuries, helped him break the records of West Indies legend Brian Lara, Australia’s Steve Smith, Mahela Jayawardene, and Graeme Smith in the list of most international tons in a calendar year by a captain. Azam’s eight centuries stand third in the all-time list.
With the ton, Azam is also the highest Test run-getter in 2022. He scored a total of 2542 runs across the three formats in 2022, which is the most by any Pakistan batter, surpassing former cricketer and team’s present batting coach Mohammad Yousuf.
