Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam performed brilliantly in the fourth match of the Tri-Nation Series against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Sunday.
After Pakistan’s poor performance in the Asia Cup 2025, coach Mike Hesson recalled Babar to the team. Babar played a blistering innings and equaled Virat Kohli’s record.
Babar scored 74 runs off 52 balls, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes. This innings took him to 38 fifties in T20Is, equaling Virat Kohli’s record.
Babar Azam’s Comeback
Pakistan suffered a setback in the Asia Cup, but Babar’s return has given the team new energy.
He was out for a duck in the first match against Zimbabwe, then scored just 16 runs against Sri Lanka. However, he returned to form in the second match. He has now become the highest run-scorer in T20Is, surpassing Rohit Sharma.
Before the match, Pakistan captain Salman Aga won the toss and chose to bat.
He said, “We are going to bat first. I think it is still a good wicket to bat on so we want to change the trend and challenge ourselves by batting first as we have been chasing a lot.
We are playing good cricket. It was a complete game (against SL). We want to do it day in day out. I just want to do well, doesn’t matter if it’s my birthday or not.”
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said, “We came into this series to derail every team. We had a good game against Pakistan and the result went our way in the next game. I wanted to bowl first because we have been batting first and my toss record is pretty poor (smiles). One change because we wanted to give everyone a go. Wellington Masakadza is in for Graeme Cremer.”
Record: Most fifties in T20Is
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 134 matches, 4374 runs, average 39.76, 38 fifties
- Virat Kohli (India): 125 matches, 4188 runs, average 48.69, 38 fifties
- Rohit Sharma (India): 159 matches, 4231 runs, average 32.05, 32 fifties
This record is a major milestone for Babar. Pakistan’s playing XI included Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, and Usman Tariq.
Zimbabwe’s squad included Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maphosa, Richard Ngarava, and Wellington Masakadza.
This victory gave Pakistan a strong position in the series. Babar’s form bodes well for the team.
