Babar Azam bags multiple records in first PAKvNZ Test

Babar Azam is having a prolific 2022 as a batter

PHOTO: AP

Pakistan captain Babar Azam continued to pile up runs in international cricket as he registered his ninth Test century against New Zealand in the first at National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.

The 28-year-old has now scored the most international runs in a calendar year as a Pakistan batter. After scoring his 13th run in the first innings of the ongoing Test match against New Zealand in Karachi, Azam went past Mohammad Yousuf’s record of 2435 runs in 2006.

The prolific right-hander has scored 735 runs in T20Is and 679 in ODI cricket this year.

After scoring yet another fifty, Azam also equaled Sri Lanka batting great Kumar Sangakkara’s record of most 50-plus scores, 25, in a calendar year. The left-hander had achieved the feat in 2014.

Azam has scored eight hundreds and 17 fifties in international cricket this year.

Babar Azam also now has the highest 50+ scores as captain in a calendar year, surpassing Ricky Ponting's record of 24.