As the cricketing world braces for the much-anticipated Indo-Pak clash in the Asia Cup 2023, all eyes are on Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam. This dynamic batsman is on the cusp of etching his name in the annals of cricket history by surpassing the record set by Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli.
Babar Azam: Closing in on Captaincy Milestones Ahead of Epic Indo-Pak Clash
Babar Azam currently stands at 1994 runs from 30 innings as captain, tantalizingly close to Kohli’s record of being the fastest captain to reach the 2000-run mark, which took the former Indian captain 36 innings. The imminent clash with India in Kandy presents Babar with a golden opportunity to etch his name alongside the greats.
The rising star of Pakistani cricket doesn’t stop there. On a memorable Wednesday, Babar etched his name in the record books once more. His remarkable 19th ODI century in the inaugural match of the Asia Cup catapulted him into the record books yet again. Babar Azam achieved this feat faster than any other player, surpassing South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who took 104 innings to reach 19 ODI centuries. In contrast, Babar achieved the milestone in just 102 innings, while Kohli took 124 innings to match this remarkable feat.
Pakistan’s dominant performance against Nepal, where they thrashed the minnows by a staggering margin of 238 runs, served as a promising prelude to the epic India encounter. Babar led the charge with an awe-inspiring innings, smashing 151 runs, further solidifying his reputation as one of cricket’s brightest stars.
Babar’s partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed, who notched his maiden ODI century with an unbeaten 109, was instrumental in propelling Pakistan to a formidable total of 342 for six after opting to bat. The duo forged an incredible 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket, rescuing Pakistan from a somewhat slow start.
In response, Nepal struggled immensely, succumbing to Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack. Shadab Khan was the star of the show, claiming four crucial wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf chipped in with two wickets each. Nepal was bundled out for just 104 runs in 23.4 overs, as Pakistan’s dominance was on full display.
As the India clash looms large on the horizon, Babar Azam’s meteoric rise and his quest to surpass Kohli’s captaincy milestones add an extra layer of excitement to this epic encounter. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await this historic showdown, where records are poised to be rewritten, and legends in the making are set to shine.
