Babar Azam on Thursday (September 19) returned to form with a superb century during the game between the Stallions and the Dolphins in the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup.
The right-handed batsman started the previous two matches in the competition but could not convert them into big scores, though he was the top scorer for his team in both matches. In the Stallions’ first match against the Lions, Babar Azam scored 76 runs off 79 balls, helping his team to register a total of 336 runs.
The Stallions won the match by 113 runs. In the second match, the Stallions suffered a crushing defeat by 126 runs at the hands of the Markhors while chasing 232 runs. Babar Azam also managed to impress in that match. In an innings where none of his teammates could reach even 20 runs, he scored 45 runs per ball.
On Saturday, the Pakistan captain made the most of his form and scored a brilliant century against the Dolphins. The Stallions were in a good position when Babar came to bat at number three. Shan Masood and Yasir Khan had shared a 76-run stand for the opening wicket.
However, the Stallions lost a few wickets in quick succession and found themselves 4 down for 162 runs in the 34th over. The onus was on Babar Azam to guide his team to a good score and the right-handed batsman did not disappoint.
Babar stayed on till the end, scoring an unbeaten century to guide his team to a competitive total of 271/7. With wickets falling at one end, Babar remained cautious and completed his fifty in 65 balls with the help of four boundaries.
However, he changed gears at the right time and accelerated well to take his team to a total of over 270. Babar remained unbeaten on 104 runs in 100 balls. He completed his century with a four on the fifth ball of the last over.
His knock was studded with seven fours and three sixes. Apart from Babar, no other Stallions batsman could reach the 50-run mark. Babar looked like a relieved man after the century and hoped that his knock would help him silence his critics.
Watch Babar Azam celebrate his centenary:
The moment Babar Azam hit his 30th century in List A cricket ❤️❤️❤️
Never doubt Babar in this format, just never do it 🇵🇰🔥🔥#DiscoveringChampions #tapmad #DontStopBroadcasting image.twitter.com/UlyJdIXeRH
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 19, 2024
Meanwhile, the century was a historic one as Babar became the first Pakistani batsman to hit 30 List A centuries. The century was his first List A century since the triumph against Nepal in the Asia Cup last year. Babar would be hoping that his luck finally turns around after his last century and he rediscovers his magic.
