Babar Azam brings up ninth Test ton towards New Zealand, shatters a number of information

Pakistan captain Babar Azam hit his ninth check century and alongside the recalled Sarfaraz Ahmed helped his staff get well towards New Zealand on Monday within the first Test.

Babar smashed his hundred off 161 balls with a six off Michael Bracewell over midwicket simply earlier than tea as Pakistan progressed to 224/4.

Breaking a 16-year-old report held by Mohammad Yousuf, Azam now holds the report for essentially the most runs in a calendar 12 months by a Pakistan batter.

The Pakistan skipper eclipsed Yousuf’s mixture of 2435 runs in 2006 whereas batting on 54 on the finish of the primary session.

BOOM 💥

Century reached in fashion!#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/krAqHkuJz0

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2022

During his innings, Babar shattered a number of information, amongst them – scoring most 50s or extra in a calendar 12 months as a captain. He moved previous Australia’s Ricky Ponting who had 24 half-centuries in 2005.

This 12 months has been nothing wanting a curler coaster for Pakistan’s Test staff, nonetheless, the 28-year-old batter outclassed with numbers; he registered greater than 1000 runs beneath his identify in simply 9 matches and has develop into the best Test run-getter in 2022. Babar’s milestone of eight centuries in 2022 ranks third all-time within the checklist.

Babar has additionally gone previous former gamers Brain Lara, Graeme Smith and Mahela Jayawardene and his up to date Australian Vice-captain Steven Smith for essentially the most centuries as a captain in a calendar 12 months.

Often stepping up for his staff and bailing the facet out of essential conditions, the batter has additionally carried out effectively in restricted over video games. Leading Pakistan in three collection victories, the skipper scored 679 runs in ODIs this 12 months.