The opening game of the Asia Cup showcased an extraordinary display of cricket talent as Pakistan’s inspirational captain, Babar Azam, delivered a breathtaking century against Nepal. The match, held in Multan on Wednesday, turned into a stage for Babar Azam to demonstrate his exceptional skills and unwavering determination.
A Record-Breaking Performance of Babar Azam
Babar Azam’s stellar innings of 151 runs off 131 balls not only secured a victory for his team but also propelled him to new heights in cricket history. With this phenomenal performance, he surpassed South African great Hashim Amla, becoming the fastest player to reach 19 One Day International (ODI) centuries.
Reaching this remarkable milestone in just 102 ODI innings, Babar outpaced Amla’s record of 104 innings. As the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, Babar treated the spectators to an array of exquisite shots, including 14 boundaries and four towering sixes, etching his name into the record books.
Babar Azam Notable Achievements
Babar’s century was further highlighted by a series of impressive accomplishments:
- Second-Highest Score in Asia Cup: His score of 151 is the second-highest ever achieved in the Asia Cup, following Virat Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in 2012.
- Record-Breaking Captain: Babar is the first captain to score 150 or more runs in an Asia Cup match, surpassing Kohli’s previous record of 136 against Bangladesh in 2014.
- Second Time Over 150: This innings marked only the second time Babar has surpassed the 150-run mark in an ODI, with his highest score being 158 against England in Birmingham in 2021.
- Top-Ranked ODI Batter: Babar’s remarkable performance solidified his position as the No. 1 ranked player on the MRF Tyres ODI Batting Rankings.
- High Batting Average: His ODI batting average soared to an impressive 59.47, making him the player with the fourth-highest average in men’s ODI cricket history among those with at least 2000 ODI runs.
Babar Azam Joining the Legends
With this century, Babar has now accumulated 31 international centuries, placing him alongside Pakistani legends Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar. He trails only Younis Khan (41), Mohammad Yousuf (39), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (35) in the list of Pakistan’s all-time century makers.
Looking Ahead
As the Asia Cup progresses and the 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaches, Babar Azam’s remarkable performance suggests even greater accomplishments in the near future. With numerous opportunities for further milestones in the coming months, Babar’s legacy as a cricketing icon is set to grow.
Upcoming Challenges
Pakistan’s next challenge in the Asia Cup is against their arch-rival India in Pallekele on Saturday. Following this, their debut match in the upcoming World Cup will be against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more exceptional feats from Babar Azam, the anticipation for new records being set remains high.
Babar Azam’s incredible innings in the Asia Cup opener has not only led Pakistan to a commanding victory but has also solidified his status as one of the world’s premier cricketers. His ability to break records and deliver under pressure highlights his importance to the team and the sport. As Babar continues to shine on the international stage, fans around the world will be watching with bated breath, eager to witness the next chapter in his extraordinary career.
