Babar Azam has achieved a significant milestone in Pakistan cricket, becoming the second-most successful captain in the country’s history. With 79 wins across all formats, Babar has surpassed the legendary Wasim Akram’s record of 78 wins.
He is now on track to break the record held by the 1992 World Cup-winning captain, Imran Khan, who has 89 wins from 187 matches. Notably, Babar boasts the highest winning percentage among captains with a minimum of 50 matches, standing at an impressive 64.11%, surpassing both Akram and Khan.
Babar’s recent success as captain was evident in Pakistan’s second T20I victory against New Zealand, as they lead the five-match series 1-0 after the first match was spoiled by rain. Babar has recently returned as the white-ball captain after being forced to resign during Zaka Ashraf’s chairmanship following the 2023 World Cup.
He was replaced by Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20Is and Shan Masood in Tests, while the ODI captaincy remained vacant until his return. However, Babar has now taken over the white-ball leadership role, with Shaheen Shah Afridi removed from T20I captaincy.
New Zealand, meanwhile, has sent a second-string squad for the series, with nine players participating in IPL 2024 and others unavailable for various reasons. Despite facing a depleted opposition, Babar’s leadership and performance have been commendable, leading Pakistan to a strong position in the series.
As Babar continues to lead Pakistan with distinction, his success as captain highlights his growing stature in world cricket and his ability to inspire his team to achieve greater heights.
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