Babar Azam Eclipses Jonny Bairstow to Score Most Centuries in International Cricket in a Year

Babar Azam after scoring a century against England [Source: Associated Press]

Babar Azam continues to rise in world cricket as the swashbuckling batter ransacked a sensational century on Day 3 of the ongoing Test between Pakistan and England and added another feather to his elusive cap. 

Pakistan captain, who came to bat at number four led the team from the front and slammed a gritty century. With this, Babar Azam surpassed England batter Jonny Bairstow to score most centuries in international cricket this year. 

Before this knock, he was tied up with Bairstow with both the batter smoking six centuries each in international cricket in 2022. However, his epic century in the ongoing Rawalpindi Test puts him ahead of the Englishmen in the tally of batters with the most centuries this year. 

Most hundreds in international cricket in 2022:

• 𝟳 – 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘇𝗮𝗺*
• 6 – Jonny Bairstow
• 𝟱 – 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗺-𝘂𝗹-𝗛𝗮𝗾*
• 5 – Joe Root
• 4 – Usman Khawaja

Pakistan's veteran batter Imam-ul-Haq stands fifth on the list with five centuries in international cricket this year. He played a blitzkrieg knock of 121 runs off 207 balls to provide his team a flying start in the ongoing Test against England. 

Former England captain Joe Root and Australian opener Usman Khawaja occupy fourth and fifth place in the tally with five and four international centuries this year.  

As long as the match is concerned, England rode on its brand-new Bazball approach to pile up a mammoth total of 657 runs on the board in the first inning after opting to bat first. Pakistan, in reply, is currently at 411 for the loss of three wickets. 

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