Star batter Babar Azam continued his dream run in 2023 as the Pakistan captain slammmed a record-breaking 19th century in the ongoing PAK vs NEP Asia Cup 2023 opener. The 28-year-old completed his century in 109 balls with a double in 42nd over. Babar Azam showed a stunning batting display as he paced his innings to perfection.
Babar came to the crease in the 7th over after Imam ul Haq’s departure. The skipper then stitched a brilliant 86-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan and played a second fiddle. Howver, he soon switched gears after Rizwan’s wicket and took on Nepal’s bowlers.
He along with Iftikhar Ahmed (109*) formed a 214-run partnership as they powered the hosts to 342/6.
While his half-century came in 72 balls, he scored the next 50 run in just 37 balls. His next 50 came the quickest, in just 20 balls. His stunning 151-run knock ended in the final over.
Fans took to Twitter to hail the batter and called him a ‘modern great’
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This was Babar’s 17th 50+ scores in his last 22 innings in ODIs. He is also the first captain to score a 150+ score in Asia Cup.
Babar’s Scores in last 22 ODI innings
158(139), 57(72), 114(83), 105*(115), 103(107), 77(93), 1(3), 74(85), 57(65), 91(125), 66(82), 79(114), 4(13), 49(46), 65(66), 54(62), 107(117), 1(5), 0(3), 53(66), 60(86), 151(131)
Earlier, Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost two quick wickets. But Babar and Rizwan (44) stabilized their side’s innings. After Rizwan’s dismissal, Iftikhar Ahmed took the charge as they powered Pakistan to a mammoth score. For Nepal, Sompal Kami scalped two wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took one wicket each.