LONDON: Pakistan’s ODI and T20I skipper Babar Azam has been listed among the top players with highest average in Test matches.
The 25-years-old batsman surpassed Australian cricketer Steve Smith and Indian player Virat Kohli by setting the record of highest average in Test matches in two years.
Babar Azam became the seventh Pakistani batsman to score 50 or more in five consecutive innings of Test matches. Steve Smith has an average of 62 runs in Test matches while Virat Kohli has 55 runs. Babar Azam has averaged 65 runs in the last two years.
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In the ongoing Test match against England, Babar had his fifth consecutive Test innings in which he crossed the 50 marks. Before him, Zaheer Abbas, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Yusuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Sarfraz Ahmed have also performed this feat. Babar Azam’s five innings include three centuries and two half-centuries.
Pakistan on Tuesday announced a 16-member squad for the first Test against England, starting from August 05 at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pakistan is the second Test team, after West Indies, to tour England this summer. The tour includes three Tests and three T-20 Internationals. Meanwhile, the Tests matches will be part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship.
All three T20 Internationals will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester on 28th, 30th August, and September 1st respectively. A strict bio-secure environment keeps spectators away from the grounds due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
