PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Shatters Virat Kohli's Yet Another Major T20I Record

Pakistan batter Babar Azam broke the massive record of Indian star Virat Kohli in the T20Is. The former Pakistan skipper became the batter with the most half-centuries after 100 innings in the shortest format of the game.

Babar Azam achieved the feat in the recently concluded second T20I against New Zealand. The match between the two teams took place at Seddon Park in Hamilton, which saw the visitors losing the game by 21 runs and going down 2-0 in the series.

Babar Azam was yet the shining light for the team as he played another great knock for the team. He came to bat when Pakistan lost Saim Ayub in the first over. The batter looked in great touch right from the start and played classical strokes all over the ground.

Babar Azam held the one end for the team and made sure that he kept scoring runs quickly as well. Like the last game, he ran short of partners. He, however, made sure that he gave his everything and took the match as close as possible.

Babar Azam slammed a magnificent half-century and kept the hopes of Pakistan fans alive. Till the time he was at the crease, it seemed that he would take the team home but unfortunately got out as he tried to score boundaries.

Babar Azam ended with the knock of 66 runs off 43 balls. He batted with a strike rate of 153.48 and slammed 7 fours and 2 sixes in his innings. With this, he also completed 35 fifties in the T20Is. The batter achieved the feat in his 100th innings.

Babar Azam played a great hand in the first game as well. He slammed a half-century in Auckland but couldn’t take his team home. In that game too, he didn’t get the desired support and fell short of partners. This was his second consecutive half-century in the series. Ahead of the series, he wasn’t in good form but it seems he has regained his touch and is back on scoring ways.

PAK vs NZ: Most 50+ Scores in T20Is after 100 Innings; Babar Azam tops the list

Babar Azam has the most 50+ scores in T20Is after 100 innings. He is followed by Indian great Kohli, who had 34 fifties by the time he played his 100th innings in the T20Is. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is third on the list with 25 half-centuries. Ireland captain Paul Stirling and England captain Jos Buttler are also on the list with 21 half-centuries to their name.

Most 50+ Scores in T20Is after 100 Innings

35 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
34 – Virat Kohli (India)
25 – Rohit Sharma (India)
21 – Paul Stirling (Ireland)
21 – Jos Buttler (England)

Babar Azam also has the second-highest runs in T20Is after the 100 innings. The batter has 3608 runs to his name and is behind Virat Kohli who had 3663 runs. Aaron Finch with 3013 runs to his name also features along with Martin Guptill (2976) and Rohit Sharma (2976). England skipper Jos Buttler also makes it into the list along with Paul Stirling, who is last. 

Most T20I Runs after 100 Inngs (SR)

3663 –  Virat Kohli (137.71)
3608 – Babar Azam (129.23)
3013 –  Aaron Finch (144.02)
2976 –  Martin Guptill (136.20)
2773 – Rohit Sharma (138.72)
2766 – Jos Buttler (144.74)
2764 – Paul Stirling Stirling (134.90)