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Pakistan captain Babar Azam equalled a major record during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Monday, November 9. The right-hander scored 50 off 58 deliveries at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, reaching his 70th fifty-plus score as Pakistan captain across formats.
Pakistan handed Test debuts to Tayyab Arif, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Saqib Khan, while Sri Lanka picked four fast bowlers. Openers Azan Awais (30) and Tayyab Arif (57) provided a solid start to the team on the opening day. Babar came to the crease with Pakistan at 90/2.
Dilshan Madushanka Claims Maiden Test Wicket To End Babar Azam's Promising Knock
Babar Azam looked in good touch during his stay at the crease, striking seven boundaries before Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him in the post-lunch session. The left-arm seamer produced a crucial breakthrough with a clever round-the-wicket angle.
Madushanka bowled a full-length delivery around the off-stump line that straightened after pitching. Babar attempted to drive with a straight bat but failed to account for the movement. The ball took the outside edge and carried safely to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.
Madushanka picked up his maiden Test wicket. The dismissal ended Babar's stay after he had reached his half-century, but he could not convert it into a hundred.
Babar Azam Matches Misbah-ul-Haq's Record With 70 Fifty-Plus Scores As Pakistan Captain
Babar scored his 144th fifty-plus score in international cricket across all three formats. He also matched former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with his 70th fifty-plus score as Pakistan captain.
Babar achieved the milestone in 164 innings across 153 matches as captain. Misbah also registered 70 fifty-plus scores, but took 189 innings while leading Pakistan in 151 matches. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad complete the top five on the Pakistan list.
Most 50-plus scores as Pakistan captain
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | 100s | 50s | 50+ scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Babar Azam | 153 | 164 | 7,079 | 15 | 55 | 70 |
Misbah-ul-Haq | 151 | 189 | 7,392 | 8 | 62 | 70 |
Inzamam-ul-Haq | 119 | 131 | 5,179 | 9 | 33 | 42 |
Imran Khan | 187 | 186 | 5,655 | 6 | 32 | 38 |
Javed Miandad | 96 | 110 | 4,240 | 5 | 29 | 34 |
Babar also has an opportunity to move past Misbah in another major Pakistan captaincy record. He needs 314 more runs to surpass Misbah's tally of 7,392 international runs as captain and become his country's leading run-scorer in that category.
Ricky Ponting Leads Virat Kohli And Graeme Smith In International Captaincy Record
While Babar Azam has matched Misbah's national record, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting remains comfortably ahead in the overall international list. Ponting scored 15,440 runs and registered 129 fifty-plus scores in 324 matches as captain across all three formats.
South Africa's Graeme Smith is second with 110 half-centuries, while India's Virat Kohli is third with 99. New Zealand's Stephen Fleming and former India captain MS Dhoni complete the top five.
Most 50-plus scores as captain in international cricket
Player | Team | Matches | Innings | Runs | 50+ scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ricky Ponting | Australia | 324 | 376 | 15,440 | 129 |
Graeme Smith | South Africa | 286 | 368 | 14,878 | 110 |
Virat Kohli | India | 213 | 250 | 12,883 | 99 |
Stephen Fleming | New Zealand | 303 | 348 | 11,561 | 84 |
MS Dhoni | India | 332 | 330 | 11,207 | 82 |
Babar Azam | Pakistan | 153 | 164 | 7,079 | 70 |
Also read: Mike Hesson set to continue as Pakistan Test head coach until end of current WTC cycle
