PAK vs AUS: Steve Smith Leaves Behind Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid To Achieve Incredible Test Batting Record

Steve Smith, the Australian vice-captain in Tests, created a new world record leaving behind the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag amongst others during his innings in the third and final Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore.

Steve Smith has scored three half-centuries in three Test innings thus far on the Test tour of Pakistan. Smith opened Australia’s tour of Pakistan with 78 in the first Test in Rawalpindi and followed it with an innings of 72 in Karachi, both of which ended in a draw. Smith was once again at his run-scoring best when he hit 59 on Day 1 of the Lahore Test.

However, a century still eludes him, as he had not scored a ton since his 211 in November of 2019. Teammate Usman Khawaja said the team backs Steve Smith irrespective of scoring or not scoring a ton.

“I thought he batted really well today. He was stiff. His bat got stuck in his pad. You bowl that ball against Steve Smith; he’s hitting it 99 out of 100 times. I’m sure it’s frustrating in some respects. He is in my opinion the greatest batter I’ve seen in my era, averaging 60 throughout pretty much his whole Test career,” teammate Usman Khawaja said at the end of the opening day.

He said: “It’s so funny. We’re talking about Steve Smith probably not scoring hundreds but he seems to be getting 70, 80 every game and doing it very easily. That’s just the class that Steve Smith has. I’m sure there’s a big score coming and then once he gets a big score there will be more big scores. The odds say that he’s going to get a big one very soon.”

He was dismissed by Naseem Shah for 59 off 169 balls with 6 fours, as Australia made 391 runs in the first innings of the third Test. Shaheen Afridi (4/79) and Naseem Shah (4/58) were the picks of Pakistani bowlers.

Steve Smith Now Has The Most Runs After 150 Test Innings; Leaves Behind Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag

During his knock of 59, Smith left behind some Asian batting giants for a fine batting record. The former Australia captain now holds the record for most runs after 150 Test innings. Smith took his tally to 7993 runs, leaving behind Kumar Sangakkara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Rahul Dravid.

Sangakkara is now second in the list with 7913 runs, followed by Tendulkar (7869), Sehwag (7694), and Dravid (7680) at third fourth and fifth respectively.

Also Read: Playing For Country Should Come First, Disappointing To See Young Cricketers Leave Test Cricket For IPL – Brian Lara