Ton-up Babar Azam sets Pakistan record in T20 cricket

Central Punjab’s captain Babar Azam has become 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. 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 hundreds each.

Azam’s century helped Punjab post 200/2 in their allotted 20 overs, after deciding to bat first.

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Speaking after the end of the first innings, Azam stressed on the importance of partnership with fellow opener Shehzad. The duo added 67 runs in 6.3 overs for the first wicket, which set the platform for a massive total.

“Early on the ball was gripping a bit and the ball was not coming on to the bat nicely. We needed a partnership there, which I formed with Ahmed [Shehzad] bhai. That gave us momentum and we carried that forward,” said Azam.

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.