Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, etched his name in the annals of cricket history as he surpassed India’s cricketing maestro, Virat Kohli, to become the leading run-scorer in T20 International (T20I) matches against England. This remarkable achievement was realized during the fourth T20I at The Oval in London on May 30, despite Pakistan facing a disappointing loss.
At 29 years old, Babar Azam continues to solidify his reputation as one of modern cricket’s most proficient batsmen. Heading into the fourth T20I, Babar needed just 16 runs to surpass Kohli’s record of 639 runs against England. Babar managed to accomplish this with finesse, scoring 36 runs off 22 balls, including five boundaries and a towering six. This inning brought Babar’s tally to 660 runs against England, placing him at the pinnacle of T20I batting statistics against the two-time world champions.
Nevertheless, Babar’s individual brilliance was overshadowed by Pakistan’s overall performance. The team faltered significantly in the match, resulting in a seven-wicket loss to England, which allowed the hosts to secure the series with a 2-0 lead. The game started with Pakistan losing the crucial coin toss, obliging them to bat first under the captaincy of England’s Jos Buttler.
Pakistan’s top three batsmen, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan, initially showed promise as they built a strong foundation. However, none of them could convert their starts into substantial innings. The middle order’s collapse, maimed by England’s disciplined bowling attack, left Pakistan scraping together only 157 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, England’s openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, dismantled the Pakistani bowling attack with an aggressive onslaught, accumulating 82 runs within a mere 6.2 overs. Although Pakistan managed to remove both openers in quick succession, the damage had already been done. England cruised to a comprehensive victory, finishing the game with 27 balls to spare.
This defeat prompted a visibly despondent Babar Azam to address the performance issues within the team, particularly focusing on the middle order. “After six overs, we were doing very well, but then I got out, and the middle-order needs to step up. England’s bowling is very good, so we have to capitalize on every chance.
. We need to sort out these issues for the World Cup. A few injuries have set us back, but there are positives; our play is good in patches, but to win, you need to perform 100%,” said Babar during the post-match presentation.
The match highlighted several issues that Pakistan needs to address ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Chief among these is the performance of their middle order, which has repeatedly failed to deliver under pressure. The team management will need to bolster this crucial segment if they hope to compete effectively on the world stage.
Additionally, injury concerns have plagued the Pakistani squad, further affecting their performance. Babar’s acknowledgment of these challenges underscores the importance of maintaining a fit and cohesive unit as they prepare for future international fixtures.
Despite the loss, there were notable positives for Pakistan. The form of their top-order batsmen, while not culminating in big scores during this match, has shown potential in previous games. Moreover, Pakistan’s bowlers have had moments of brilliance, suggesting that with a few strategic adjustments, the team can bounce back strongly.
England, on the other hand, demonstrated why they are considered one of the top T20 teams globally. Their effective bowling strategies and aggressive batting approach rendered them formidable opponents. With this series win, England will be entering the World Cup with significant momentum, setting a high benchmark for other teams.
As the cricketing community gears up for the T20 World Cup, the spotlight will remain on Babar Azam and his leadership. His recent personal milestone adds to his illustrious career, yet it also serves as a poignant reminder of the dichotomy between individual brilliance and team success. Babar’s ability to galvanize his team and address the weaknesses exposed during this series will be crucial if Pakistan aims to make a significant impact in the upcoming global tournament.
In summary, while Babar Azam’s record-breaking feat against England adds a significant chapter to his career, it comes with the bittersweet taste of an unfulfilled collective goal. Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity will be looking for a resurgence as they address the lessons learnt from this series in preparation for the World Cup.
