Babar Azam, the captain and star batter of the Pakistan cricket team, is on the brink of surpassing a monumental milestone held by legendary cricketer Imran Khan. As Pakistan prepares to take on West Indies in a two-match Test series on home soil, Babar has a golden opportunity to rewrite history.
This series also serves as Pakistan’s final assignment in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, making it a critical one for both the team and its skipper.
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Babar Azam Closing In on Imran Khan’s Record
Imran Khan, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers, is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer for Pakistan against West Indies in international cricket. He amassed 1,977 runs against the Caribbean side across all formats during his illustrious career.
Babar Azam, who has been a thorn in West Indies’ side in recent years, is just 302 runs shy of overtaking Imran on this prestigious list. Currently, Babar has 1,676 runs against the Men in Maroon and is on track to surpass the former captain if he performs consistently in the upcoming series.
Another stat that could see Babar eclipse Imran is the number of half-centuries scored against West Indies. Both players currently have 11 fifties, and Babar needs just one more to surpass Imran in this category.
Babar Azam’s Recent Test Form
Although Babar faced criticism for his performances in home Tests earlier in the season, he bounced back strongly in the South Africa series, showcasing his brilliance.
- Babar emerged as Pakistan’s top scorer in the series against South Africa, amassing 193 runs at an impressive average of 48.25, with three fifties to his name.
- His ability to anchor the innings and step up in high-pressure situations makes him a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s Test setup.
Pakistan vs. West Indies: What’s at Stake?
The two-match Test series against West Indies is a crucial one for Pakistan, as they aim to end their WTC cycle on a high note. For Babar Azam, it’s a chance to lead from the front, break records, and silence critics who doubted his credentials in the longest format.
Should Babar manage to surpass Imran Khan’s record, it would further cement his status as one of Pakistan’s modern-day greats.
Key Milestones for Babar Azam in the Series:
- 302 runs to surpass Imran Khan’s total of 1,977 runs against West Indies.
- 1 half-century to claim sole ownership of the most 50+ scores by a Pakistani against West Indies.
With Babar in fine form, fans will be hoping to witness another masterclass from the stylish batter as he chases history in this crucial series.