Babar Azam breaks T20I records for Pakistan
There is a sense of celebration upon Babar Azam’s failure as if many were eagerly awaiting his downfall. PHOTO: AFP
While Pakistan might have lost the first T20 against Australia, Babar Azam has broken two records for his country during the rain-hit match.
Babar Azam made his 124th T20 appearance breaking the record held by Shoaib Malik for Pakistan.
Azam also broke the record for most catches by a Pakistan surpassing Fakhar Zaman's 50 catches.
Australia defeat Pakistan by 29 runs in rain-hit first T20I
Australia defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the first T20I match played at The Gabba stadium in Brisbane on Thursday.
Batting first, Glenn Maxwell (43) and Marcus Stoinis (21) showcased brilliant power hitting to propel Australia to post 94-run target for Men in Green in first T20I.
Maxwell, who joined Matthew Short at the crease, wasted no time, smashing four boundaries off Naseem Shah to take Australia to 33-1 after the first two overs.
However, Pakistan fought back through Haris Rauf, who bowled a tight over, conceding just three runs and removing Short (7), bringing Pakistan back into the contest.
Maxwell, though, continued his onslaught, capitalizing on Rauf's next over by hitting two sixes and a four, even though he had been dismissed three times by Haris in the ODI series.
His blistering knock came to an end when he was caught by Usman Khan at deep square leg off Abbas Afridi’s delivery. Maxwell’s innings of 43 came from just 19 balls, including eight boundaries, three of which were sixes.
In the same over, Abbas struck again, dismissing Tim David (9), who was caught by Irfan Khan at deep midwicket. Stoinis, however, took charge in the final over, smashing Naseem for 20 runs, including two fours and a six, to help lift Australia’s total to 93-4.
Stoinis remained unbeaten on 21 from 7 balls, while for Pakistan, Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets, and Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each took one.