Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, has achieved an impressive milestone by scoring his 10th century in T20 cricket during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) match on Monday. This accomplishment places him in an elite club, making him only the second player in the world to achieve this feat in the fast-paced format, following the legendary West Indian cricketer, Chris Gayle.
The iconic Chris Gayle, known as the ‘Universe Boss,’ currently holds the record for the most T20 centuries, with a staggering 22 centuries in 463 matches. His explosive batting prowess has left an indelible mark on the game.
Babar Azam’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable. He has displayed his batting excellence across various T20 leagues and tournaments. Notably, he has secured three T20 centuries at the international level. Two of these centuries were achieved in the Vitality Blast while representing Somerset, and two more were scored in the National T20 Cup, where he played for Central Punjab.
In addition to these achievements, Babar Azam also boasts a century in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) while playing for Peshawar Zalmi. He added another century to his name during a tour match against Leicestershire, further solidifying his reputation as a top-class T20 batsman.
Babar’s recent century at the LPL has elevated his tally to an impressive 10 centuries. This century also marks his first-ever triple-digit score in the LPL, earning him the distinction of being the fourth-ever centurion in the history of the tournament.
A significant highlight of this achievement is that Babar Azam is now the sole Asian cricketer with 10 T20 centuries to his name. This further cements his status as one of the finest T20 players from the continent. Following in Babar’s footsteps, the former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, holds the position of the second-highest Asian century-maker in T20 cricket, with eight centuries to his credit.
Babar’s recent century was a masterclass in batting. Representing the Colombo Strikers, he showcased his exquisite strokeplay, including magnificent cover drives, eight boundaries, and five towering sixes. His impressive strike rate of 176.2 demonstrated his ability to accelerate the run rate while anchoring the innings.
During the match, Babar Azam formed a formidable opening partnership with Pathum Nissanka, contributing to a solid 111-run stand. Their partnership played a crucial role in the Strikers’ convincing seven-wicket victory over the Gale Gladiators, showcasing Babar’s ability to build partnerships and lead his team to victory.
Read more: PCB Chooses Inzamam-ul-Haq as Chief Selector Once Again
Participating in the Lanka Premier League for the first time, Babar Azam is utilizing this platform to hone his skills and adapt to different playing conditions, crucial preparation for upcoming major tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup. Babar’s dedication to improving his game and delivering outstanding performances on the field continues to inspire cricket enthusiasts and aspiring players around the world.
