“Unstoppable” Babar Azam sets another Pakistan record in T20 cricket
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam added another feather to his cap when he became the batter with most hundreds in Twenty20 cricket for Pakistan.
During the ongoing National T20 Cup match against Northern, Azam remained unbeaten on 105 runs, taking just 63 balls, which helped him notch up his sixth hundred in T20 cricket.
1⃣0⃣0⃣! Sixth T20 century for @babarazam258! 👏👏👏#NORvCP Live: https://t.co/c1M3QVvkws#KhelTouHoRahaHai | #NationalT20Cup pic.twitter.com/b18vKsBbCv
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 30, 2021
The right-hander reached the milestone in 185 innings. The record was previously jointly held by Azam’s Central Punjab teammates Ahmed Shehzad and Kamran Akmal, who have five hundred each.
Babar smashed three sixes and stroked 11 shots to the fence to score an unbeaten 105 off 63 to help his team post 200/2 in 20 overs. This was Babar’s sixth T20 century — the most by a Pakistani batsman in the format.
Babar is also the 9th batsman in the world to score at least six T20 centuries. The most numbers of centuries, 22, are scored by West Indian Chris Gayle. Babar is now eyeing to break Chris Gayle’s record of quickest to 7,000 runs. He needs 16 runs in 6 innings to break the record set by Gayle.
Speaking after the end of the first innings, Azam stressed on the importance of partnership with fellow opener Shehzad. “We needed a partnership there, which I formed with Ahmed Shehzad. That gave us momentum and we carried that forward,” he added.
Azam also shed light on how he planned his majestic innings. “I try to target some of the bowlers, against whom I like to score 12-15 runs per over. But I also play with a positive intent against the other bowlers so that I can atleast score 10 runs in their over as well,” he said.
It must be noted that the prolific batter will also lead the Men in Green during the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
