In the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, Babar Azam showcased his prowess once again by scoring the second century of the season. Prior to this, Rassie van der Dussen had secured the first century of the season. What makes Babar Azam’s century special is that he achieved it in just 42 balls, reaching the milestone from fifty in a mere 17 deliveries. With this century, Babar Azam has now scored centuries eleven times in T20 cricket.
Records
Already holding the record for the most centuries in T20 cricket after Chris Gayle, Babar Azam has further strengthened his position with his eleventh century. While Chris Gayle has scored 22 centuries in T20 cricket, Babar Azam has achieved this feat eleven times, surpassing cricket legends like Virat Kohli, who has managed to score centuries only eight times in T20 cricket. This century marked Babar Azam’s first century for Peshawar.
Slow Start, Fiery Finish
Playing for Peshawar Zalmi this season, Babar Azam had a slow start against Islamabad United. He scored 52 runs off 42 balls before accelerating his innings dramatically. In the next 17 deliveries, Babar Azam managed to reach the century mark. Within these 17 deliveries, he smashed 7 fours and 2 sixes, displaying a remarkable display of batting prowess. Babar Azam also holds the record for scoring the most runs and achieving the highest score this season.
Finish
In this match, Babar Azam played an innings of 111 runs off just 63 balls, with a strike rate of over 176. Particularly impressive were his performances in the final overs, where he displayed a batting style akin to a bullet train, exhibiting confidence in his cricketing shots.
However, despite his remarkable performance, his international cricket form has not been as consistent. In this match, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious against Islamabad United by 8 runs.
Summary
Babar Azam’s latest century in the PSL 2024 season serves as a resounding testament to his unwavering dominance and unparalleled skill in the realm of T20 cricket. In a display of sheer mastery and finesse at the crease, Azam once again showcased why he is revered as one of the most formidable batsmen in contemporary cricketing circles.
His innings not only underscored his innate talent but also reaffirmed his ability to perform consistently at the highest level of the sport.
