Babar Azam's 5 Highest Scores In Test Cricket

Babar Azam (x.com)Babar Azam (x.com)

Pakistan legend Babar Azam has carved numerous batting specials in his illustrious international career across all formats. His track record in Test cricket, in particular, places him apart from many contemporary cricketers owing to his tenacious ability of settling in at the crease.

Celebrating the glorious career of Babar Azam, here at OneCricket, we take a look at five of his best batting performances in Test matches.

5. 127 vs New Zealand, Dubai 2018

Babar Azam belting New Zealand bowlers in 2018 (x.com)Babar Azam belting New Zealand bowlers in 2018 (x.com)

In the second Test of New Zealand’s three-match tour of UAE in late-2018, a 24-year-old Babar Azam carved his maiden five-day century for Pakistan by smacking 127 unbeaten runs. Batting at number six, the right-hander occupied the crease for 263 deliveries and belted 12 of them for boundaries and two of them for belligerent sixes. 

Babar’s unbeaten knock took Pakistan to 418-5d in the first innings, and set up his team’s series-levelling innings win against the ‘visiting’ New Zealand team.

4. 136 vs England, Rawalpindi 2022

Babar Azam in 2022 against England (x.com)Babar Azam in 2022 against England (x.com)

Captain Babar Azam shaped a swift 136 from 168 balls with 19 boundaries and a six against England during the first Test of the 2022 home series in Rawalpindi. After England amassed 657 at a run-rate of 6.50 in the first innings, Babar carried Pakistan’s batting charge after openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq plundered majestic centuries.

The legendary batter extended Pakistan total to 579 to keep the English lead down to 78 runs. Unfortunately for Babar Azam, Pakistan lost the match by 74 runs owing to second-innings batting debacle.

3. 143 vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi 2020

Babar Azam in action against Bangladesh (x.com)Babar Azam in action against Bangladesh (x.com)

Hosting Bangladesh for a two-match Test series in Pakistan in February 2020, Babar Azam smeared 143 runs from just 193 balls to register his fifth Test ton. Batting at number four, the cricketer glittered his innings with 18 boundaries and a six to take Pakistan’s first innings lead to a mammoth 212 runs. 

He shared 100-plus stands with fellow centurion and opening batter Shan Masood, as well as with half-centurion Asad Shafiq for the fourth wicket. Pakistan ended up winning the match by an innings and 44 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

2. 161 vs New Zealand, Karachi 2022

Babar Azam in Karachi, 2022 (x.com)Babar Azam in Karachi, 2022 (x.com)

Leading the Pakistan cricket team against New Zealand in December 2022, Babar Azam composed 161 runs from 280 deliveries. He occupied the crease for over six hours and gleamed his batting stay with 15 boundaries and a six. Babar’s tenacious knock, coupled with Agha Salman’s century in the lower-order set up Pakistan’s monumental first innings total of 438 in 130.1 overs.

The match, however, was declared a high-scoring draw after five absorbing days at Karachi’s National Stadium.

1. 196 vs Australia, Karachi 2022

Babar Azam made 196 against Australia in 2022 (x.com)Babar Azam made 196 against Australia in 2022 (x.com)

In March of 2022 against the visiting Australians in Karachi, Pakistan captain Babar Azam likely punched out one of the greatest four innings centuries of recent memory. Chasing 506 to win the match, the hosts crashed to 21-2 in 22.2 overs with two days of play still left in the bank. Batting at number four, Babar shared a miraculous 228-run partnership with Abdullah Shafique, and another 115 runs with Mohammad Rizwan to take Pakistan to the brink of 400.

The cricketer himself mounted 196 runs to mark his maiden Test 150, and occupied the crease for more than 10 hours to face a marathon 425 deliveries. Pakistan ended up saving the Test match owing to his courageous act and he was fittingly rewarded with a ‘Player of the Match’ honor.