Babar Azam creates history, Pakistan shatter records in T20I versus South Africa

The last few days have seen a purple patch for Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. On Wednesday, Azam officially ended the over 1000-day reign of Virat Kohli as the No.1 ODI batsman in the ICC rankings. Having dethroned the greatest, the Pakistan skipper decided to create more history on the same day. In the third Twenty20 International against South Africa in Centurion, Azam rewrote the history books and blasted his first Twenty20 International century.

His 122 off 59 balls was a tour-de-force in power, style and aggression. The knock included 15 fours and four sixes and it created plenty of records. Azam became only the third Pakistan player to hit a century in a Twenty20 International after his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan and Ahmed Shehzad. His knock of 122 is the highest individual score by a Pakistan player in Twenty20 Internationals.

Records broken galore

Shehzad was the first Pakistan player to hit a century in T20Is. In 2014, he blasted 111 against Bangladesh in Dhaka. For seven years, no Pakistan player had hit a century. However, in two back-to-back series against South Africa at home and away, the number has inflated to three. Rizwan smashed his first ton in Lahore in 2021 and Azam has followed suit.

The skipper’s knock allowed Pakistan to achieve their highest successful chase in Twenty20 Internationals. The 197-run stand is also the highest for Pakistan in Twenty20 Internationals. It allowed Pakistan to register their first total in excess of 200 since 2013. 

‘Waiting for such a knock’

Azam was in the zone right from the very beginning. In the third over, he smashed two fours and a six off George Linde. In the fourth and sixth overs, Beuran Hendricks was subject to punishment by Azam. After getting to his fifty off 27 balls, Azam did not relent. Sisanda Magala was hit for a four and a six as he eyed the century. On the other hand, Rizwan played the anchor role and also notched up his fifty.

Azam neared his century with a six and a four off Hendricks. He notched up his century off just 49 balls in grand style by blasting a six and two fours off Tabraiz Shamsi. However, the Pakistan skipper could not get his side over the line but Pakistan still won in dominant fashion.

After the match, Azam remarked that this was a knock he had dreamt of. “I was waiting for a knock like this. I focus on my strength and wanted to continue like that. When the rate is around 10, you need to take a few more risks. Rizwan had fasting (Ramadan) but he did extremely well. Batted well and also kept for 20 overs. A dream in one day cricket has come true. I have made a lot of sacrifices for that and lot of effort has gone into this,” Azam said.