Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the leading run-getter in Test matches for the year 2022. He achieved this milestone during the first day of his first encounter played against New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi on 26 December 2022.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a disastrous start for the hosts as they lost two early wickets of Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood. The captain was given a reprieve early by Daryl Mitchell at slips. After that drop chance, Babar Azam kept the momentum going for Pakistan.
Despite two more wickets off Imam and Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam looked composed completing a half-century off 76 balls. After the lunch break, Babar kept putting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers scoring runs with ease and completing his century off 161 balls. Babar made batting look easy on a decent batting pitch. He and Sarfaraz Ahmed looked untroubled. Pakistan went into the tea break at 224 for 4.
Babar Azam overtakes Joe Root and is now the top run-getter of the Test format in 2022 👏#BabarAzam𓃵 #PAKvNZ #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5QUPWj9Guf
— CricWick (@CricWick) December 26, 2022
After the tea break, Babar and Sarfaraz Ahmed kept the momentum going for Pakistan. New Zealand’s newly appointed captain Southee took the second new ball immediately. Babar completed his 150 off 254 balls. Ajaz Patel eventually struck for New Zealand getting rid of Sarfaraz Ahmed with a sharp catch by Mitchell.
Babar and Sarfaraz Ahmed added 196 runs for the fifth wicket. Right before the close of play, Babar was given out by the umpire but on review, it was overturned to not out as it was missing stumps. Pakistan ended day 1 on 317 for 5 with Babar Azam on 161 along with Salman Ali Agha.
Babar Azam’s performance in Test matches in 2022
Babar Azam became the leading run-getter in Test matches for the year 2022. He has been in sensational form in a longer format with 1170 runs from 9 matches (16 innings) with 7 half-centuries and 4 centuries with the best score of 196 in the second Test in Karachi against Australia.
Despite Pakistan losing the Test series at home against Australia and England, Babar averages 78.00. Former England skipper Joe Root scored 1098 runs from 15 matches (27 innings) with 2 half-centuries and 5 centuries with the best score of 176.
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