Babar Azam Smashes All-Time Record, Goes Past Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle

17.03.2023 - 15:25 sports.ndtv.com

One of the finest batters of this generation, Babar Azam has been running riot with the bat in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) this season.

The batter, at present, occupies the second spot in the list of top run-getters, only behind Mohammad Rizwan. As Babar led Peshawar Zalmi to an important win over Islamabad United with a 64-run knock, he went on to smash a world record.

Babar went past greats like Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle in the process, becoming the first fastest batter to score 9000 runs in T20 cricket.

The 39-ball 64 was against Islamabad was Babar's 6th half-century of the season. Babar reached the 9000-run milestone in the shortest format of the game in a total of 245 innings.

cricket bowling David Warner Babar Azam Chris Gayle Australia state Indiana Pakistan Lahore Islamabad

England pacer James Anderson expressed his disappointment after Pakistan captain Babar Azam was overlooked during the Hundred draft last week. During the Hundred draft last week, 30 men's cricketers were picked across the eight teams and overall 64 players were picked up across the men's and women's categories. While Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were picked by Welsh Fire, Babar went unsold, having entered the draft with a reserve price of 100,000 british pounds (approx. Rs 8.2 lakh).

In Viral Video, Simon Doull, Aamer Sohail Clash Over Babar Azam's Strike-Rate On-Air

Pakistan captain Babr Azam isn't a part of the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, yet he has been the subject of raging topics in the commentary box. During the second T20I between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Sunday, Babar's 'strike-rate' was brought up in the commentary box again, leading to an intense discussion between Simon Doull and Aamer Sohail. The two former cricketers didn't budge from voicing their opinions while commentating on the match. While Doull said he preferred strike-rates, Sohail went for averages.

On Babar Comparisons, Abdul Razzaq Underlines Area Where Kohli Is 'Way Better'

Two of the finest batters of this generation, Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have often been compared to each other. While Kohli has been at the top of his game for a long time, Babar has shown in the early phases of his career, that he is destined to be considered among the greats. While both batters have done wonders for their team over the years, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has explained the area where Babar isn't as good as Kohli.

"People Criticise Babar...": Shadab Khan's Explosive Take On Afghanistan Loss

Pakistan stand-in skipper and all-rounder Shadab Khan believes plenty of positives will come from his side's series loss to Afghanistan and the consistent efforts of experienced absentees Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be further appreciated when the star duo return to the national setup and said that there is always a "sword hanging over them of strike rate". Afghanistan stunned Pakistan by claiming their second victory and securing the three-match T20I series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Babar and Rizwan were rested for the ongoing three-game series against Afghanistan in Sharjah as a host of players with less experience and fewer credentials were given a chance to shine in the absence of the ultra-reliable top-order pair.

India vs Australia: Virat Kohli Faces Off With Marcus Stoinis During 3rd ODI, Video Goes Viral. Watch

Virat Kohli was in sublime form in the third ODI against Australia in Chennai on Wednesday until he fell to a tame shot. The former Indian cricket team captain played with responsibility in a 270-run chase and scored 54 in 72 balls. It was not a typical fluent innings from Kohli but a gritty one. With boundaries hard to come by, Kohli relied on running between the wickets before latching on to the loose deliveries to script a fighting knock.