Babar Azam becomes first Pakistan batter to hit T20I century against New Zealand, only behind Chris Gayle on this list

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam scored his third T20I century in the second T20I of five-match series against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Azam became the first Pakistan batter to score a T20I century against New Zealand. 
 

Overall, Azam is the fifth batter to score a T20I century against New Zealand. India's Shubman Gill (126 not out), former South Africa batter Richard Levi (117 not out), India's Suryakumar Yadav (111 not out), England's Dawid Malan (103 not out) are other four batters on the list. 

The previous best T20I score by a Pakistan batter against New Zealand belonged to former skipper Mohammad Hafeez who scored an unbeaten 99 in 2020 at Hamilton.
 

In T20 cricket (franchise cricket, T20I cricket and domestic T20 cricket), this was Azam’s ninth century. Only West Indies' Chris Gayle has more centuries (22) in the format.

Opening the innings for Pakistan, Babar needed 16 runs off the final over to get to his century. he hit James Neesham for a six over long-off off the third ball. He finished the innings with two consecutive boundaries to reach three figures from 58 balls. His unbeaten 101 was laced with 11 fours and three sixes. He helped his side post 192/4.

Earlier, Azam won the toss and opted to bat first. Pakistan got off to a terrific start. He shared a 99-run opening partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan who scored 50 runs from 34 balls. In the 11th over, Matt Henry struck again to dismiss Fakhar Zaman for a golden duck. Henry was on a hat-trick after taking one on April 14. Youngster Saim Ayub also got out for a three-ball duck. Imad Wasim too got out for a single-digit score as Pakistan suffered a mini-batting collapse.

In the 15th over, Azam got to his half-century from 36 deliveries. In the slog overs, he found the perfect partner in Iftikhar Ahmed. He went berserk in the 18th over hitting in-form Henry for two sixes and a four. Iftikhar did the damage from other end as well with an unbeaten 19-ball 33. The two batters shared an 87-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help Pakistan post a fighting total. 

ALSO READ:

IPL 2023: Under-fire KL Rahul breaks Chris Gayle's record to become fastest to click on this spectacular milestone
Watch: Delhi Capitals skipper David Warner, commentator Simon Doull furious at Prithvi Shaw for getting run out by Anuj Rawat's direct hit