Despite a disheartening series outcome for Pakistan in the recent T20 international matches, former captain Babar Azam has emerged as a standout, showcasing remarkable consistency and skill. In a series shadowed by Pakistan’s inability to capitalize on chasing opportunities, Babar Azam’s performance has been a silver lining, though it accompanies a narrative of recurring defeat. Pakistan has now lost to New Zealand three times in a row in the ongoing five-match T20I series, leaving them at a sobering disadvantage with two games yet to be played.
In the brutal face of loss after loss, Babar Azam has been notably unwavering. His scores – an impressive 57, 66, and 58 in the first three matches of the series – not only demonstrate personal excellence but have also led to a significant achievement in the world of T20I cricket. He has equalled the record of Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli for the most 50-plus scores against a single opponent in the format. Azam’s tally against New Zealand now stands at eight, which includes seven half-centuries and one century in a modest count of 18 innings.
Virat Kohli, renowned for his own batting prowess, initially set this high mark with eight painstaking half-centuries against Australia across 21 innings. Now, Babar and Kohli hold the joint record for the most 50+ scores against a rival team in T20Is, an accolade that rewards consistent performance under pressure.
As the T20 cricket arena witnesses this parity between two of the modern era’s cricketing greats, analysts and enthusiasts alike speculate whether Babar Azam can push the boundaries of this achievement even further. The next match against New Zealand, scheduled for January 19, presents a ripe occasion for Babar to surpass the benchmark he currently shares with Kohli.
This record of most fifty-plus scores against a single opponent in T20Is sees other contemporary batsmen trailing close behind the front-runners. Virat Kohli makes an additional appearance with six half-centuries against the West Indies, a testimony to his elite status in international cricket. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, proving his mettle as well, has accumulated the same number of half-centuries against England, emerging as another consistent performer in the shortest format. Australian cricketer David Warner sits third in this list, having scored seven fifty-plus scores against Sri Lanka, evidencing his own capacity for serial high-scoring endeavors.
Babar Azam’s relentless pursuit of excellence, even in the wake of Pakistan’s series failures, is indicative of his leadership and skill. It illustrates that personal triumphs can still shine through collective adversity. A beacon of consistency and resilience, Azam’s efforts are a reminder that individual mastery can persist even when the broader canvas reflects the disappointment of unmet team goals.
His equaling of Kohil’s record is more than a statistic; it is a narrative of individual success against the backdrop of hard-fought international cricket, and a sign of the fierce competition between batsmen across the globe striving to leave their mark on the game. As Babar Azam eyes the potential to carve out a solo lead in this prestigious record, cricket fans around the world watch with bated breath, awaiting the elegance and determination that have become the hallmark of his time at the crease.
