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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been in fine form in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023. The Colombo Strikers' opener on July 7 scored his maiden century in the Sri Lankan league. Also, he became the first batter after Chris Gayle to score 10 T20 centuries. However, alongside Azam, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has been making headlines as well.
After Azam reached his half-century in a run chase against Galle Titans, Raja praised him in the commentary box saying, “Fifty in security, class and quality. Calmness. He is your guy in such a situation. He can bat deep in the innings. I absolutely love him… Yeah, want to marry him."
Azam scored 104 runs from 59 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes. In the run chase of 189, Azam lost his wicket in the final over. His belligerent knock was followed by Mohammad Nawaz's four-ball 14 cameo which got Strikers over the line with a ball to spare.
It was Niroshan Dickwella-led Strikers’ second win of the season which helped them stay in contention for the qualifier spot.
The 28-year-old made a lacklustre LPL debut scoring just seven runs against defending champions Jaffna Kings. He followed it up with 59 and 41 against B-Love Kandy and Dambulla Aura respectively.
“We started off well, Later we tried to manage the run rates. I thought 190-200 was a good score. At the back of the mind, was trying to build my partnerships,” he said in the post-match presentation.
Earlier, Azam chose to play in LPL instead of Global T20 Canada where Mohammad Rizwan went to play after the completion of two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
After the completion of LPL 2023, Pakistan will also play their Asia Cup 2023 Group Stage match against India at Palleke International Cricket Stadium, the same venue Azam scored his maiden LPL century.
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