Top 5 Knocks Of Babar Azam In T20Is

image-lq508mg8Babar Azam playing his trademark cover drive. (AP)

He may not be counted among the "fab four" batters in the world, but when someone like Virat Kohli calls you the best across formats, you know that the player is special. Not just Kohli, but many have dubbed Babar Azam as one of the best in the world. Ever since bursting onto the scene, Babar has been absolutely sensational with the bat in hand. He has scored runs against every opposition and possibly in every condition he has played in.

In the last six to seven years, Babar has emerged as Pakistan’s top batter. Nobody has managed to score more runs than Babar across three formats of the game than the right-handed batter. At the age of 29, he has shattered many records across all formats and has become one of the current best batters in the sport. If we talk specifically about the T20Is, the elegant right-hander has been his country’s most prolific run-scorer in T20Is.

Babar has now made 3485 runs with an average of 41.5 and a strike-rate of 128.4. The stats speak for themselves as far as Babar is concerned. Against some of the best teams in the world. On that note, let us look at the top 5 knocks of Babar Azam in T20Is.

Top 5 Knocks Of Babar Azam In T20Is

122 vs South Africa (2021)

image-lq509skoBabar Azam celebrating his first T20I ton. (AP)

In a crucial T20I game where both teams were evenly matched on points, Pakistan chose to field first, setting themselves the task of chasing a substantial target of 203. Opening batters Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam took the crease with the scoreboard looming behind them.

Executing his shots with precision, then 27-year-old Babar achieved his maiden T20I century in just 49 deliveries. He eventually departed after amassing 122 runs in 50 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 206.77. This innings included 15 boundaries and four sixes. Babar and Rizwan forged a formidable partnership, accumulating 197 runs, setting a new record as the highest partnership for the team and the fourth-highest in T20I history.

110* vs England (2022)

image-lq50eb4gBabar celebrating his second T20I hundred. (AP)

In the second T20I encounter between Pakistan and England, which unfolded on a favorable batting track in Karachi, England opted to bat first, amassing a total of 199 runs in their 20 overs.

Pakistan responded to the target in a remarkable fashion, with the duo of Babar and Rizwan leading the charge of the run chase without any hiccups. Rizwan played an unbeaten inning of 88 runs from 51 balls, featuring 5 fours and 4 sixes. Meanwhile, Babar displayed a stellar performance, scoring an unbeaten 110 runs in 66 balls, which included 11 fours and 5 sixes. Babar played a pivotal role in anchoring the chase, leaving no room for the English bowlers to make a significant impact. This was his second T20I hundred.

101* vs New Zealand (2023)

image-lq50gp3tBabar acknowledging the support of home crowd. (AP)

In the second T20I clash between Pakistan and New Zealand earlier this year, the Men in Green won the toss and opted to bat. Once again, Babar with his favorite batting partner formed a formidable 99-run partnership for the opening wicket. Despite the track slowing down as the innings progressed, the duo played skillfully, steering the game in Pakistan's favor. Rizwan contributed with a half-century, scoring 50 runs in 34 balls, while Iftikhar added 33 runs in 19 balls.

The standout performance, however, came from Babar, the Pakistani captain, who stole the show with an impressive century. He scored 101 runs in 58 balls, featuring 11 fours and 3 sixes. This marked his third T20I hundred against a challenging bowling attack. In the pursuit of the target, New Zealand succumbed to pressure and managed to score only 154 runs, with Haris Rauf's exceptional bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets.

68* vs India (2021)

image-lq50k6tbBabar raising his bat. (AP)

In his first-ever T20 World Cup match, tension soared as Pakistan faced their arch-rivals, India. Opting to field after winning the toss, Pakistan, led by Babar, managed to restrict the highly-regarded Indian team to a total of 151. Opening alongside Mohammad Rizwan, Babar embarked on the innings with a deliberate and graceful back-foot cover punch.

Playing a supportive role to his partner, Babar steadily navigated the innings, showcasing his clear intention to secure victory. Bringing up his half-century with a stylish six, he contributed an unbeaten 68 runs off 52 balls, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan's historic World Cup triumph against India. This innings is destined to be etched in his memory as an unforgettable performance.

97* vs West Indies (2018)

image-lq50lev9Babar missed out on century by three runs. (AP)

Babar announced his arrival in the T20I arena 2018. Despite the early loss of Fakhar Zaman, who opened the innings with Babar, the 24-year-old batter, then with only three fifty-plus scores in his career, almost reached the century mark. Taking on the Windies bowling attack, Babar partnered with Hussain Talat at No.3, smashing 13 fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 97 off 58 deliveries. This outstanding performance contributed to Pakistan posting a formidable total of 205/3, which they successfully defended with their potent bowling attack.