Babar Azam shatters Ricky Ponting's 17 year old record as a captain

Babar Azam and Tim Southee ahead of the PAK vs NZ Test (Source: Associated Press)

In the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan, Babar Azam has kick started the series by shattering a record by Ricky Ponting. The Test match is although proving to be lethal for Pakistan. The Men in Green lost a few early wickets in quick succession. Skipper Azam stepped up and played a captain's knocking, saving the team from a quick tumble. 

In the process he also became the leading run-scorer in Tests in 2022. 

Babar Azam shatters record 

Azam started the series with a record breaking knock. The skipper shattered Ricky Ponting's record to score the most number of 50+ scores in a year as captain (25). Azam's 23 scores of 50 or more include 16 fifty runs and seven centuries.

With it Azam also racked up the most number of fifties by a Pakistani in a calendar year. This was the skipper's 23rd international score of 50 or more across all formats in 2022. Misbah ul Haq held the previous record with 22 fifties in 2013. 

The record for most number of fifty+ scores in a year by a batter is held by Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (25). Ricky Ponting comes second with (24) in 2005. 

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