Pakistan showed their batting quality once again as they posted a massive total of 364-4 in the fifth and final ODI against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Sunday.
One of the stars of the superb batting performance was Babar Azam who remained unbeaten on 106. The 23-year-old has only recently made his return from the elbow injury he sustained during Pakistan’s tour of England in May this year.
Here, we take a closer look at the right-hander’s stellar unbeaten knock.
STATISTICS
RUNS: 106
BALLS: 76
SIXES: 2
FOURS: 9
STRIKE-RATE: 139.47
30-SECOND REPORT
Babar Azam walked into the crease after Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq had laid another solid platform. The batsman kept the runs ticking in characteristic fashion with some excellent placement and good running between the wickets. Once he went past his half-century, Babar took the attack to the Zimbabwe bowlers as he sped his way to a 72-ball ton which is his eighth overall in ODI cricket. He remained unbeaten till the end to lead Pakistan’s march in the death overs.
Fastest to EIGHT ODI Hundreds:
— Saad 🇵🇰 (@ImSaadAwais22) July 22, 2018
43 Innings - Hashim Amla 🇿🇦
44 Innings - Babar Azam 🇵🇰
52 Innings - Quinton de Kock 🇿🇦
57 Innings - Shikhar Dhawan 🇮🇳
Babar Azam scored last 50 Runs off just 17 Balls.
Champion Knock from a Champion Batsman #PAKvZIM #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/CA1dNlcN5L
GOT RIGHT
If Virat Kohli is the perfect example of how to construct an ODI innings, Babar is not far behind. Not one to turn to the expansive strokes straight away, the Pakistan man relied more on his placement and excellent timing at the start of his innings. His first half-century of the series arrived in 55 balls and just 17 balls later, he was raising his bat for his century celebration. He accelerated at just the right time as boundaries flowed in the death overs. He made boundary-hitting look effortless in the second-half of his innings.
GOT WRONG
There is hardly anything to fault in Babar’s innings on Sunday. The only minor criticism that can be aimed at his innings is that he could have been more adventurous at the start given the platform that had already been set. However, the flourish at the end of his innings where he went from 50 to 100 in just 17 balls makes that point moot.
Eighth ODI hundred for Babar Azam!
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 22, 2018
First 57 balls - 53 runs
Next 16 balls - 51 runs #ZIMvPAK
VERDICT – 9/10
Like a master craftsman, Babar knows who to construct a batting masterpiece. Few in world cricket have the knack of making run-scoring look so easy without relying on the big hits. Only Kohli and Joe Root can lay claim to similar abilities. Babar’s century on Sunday is just the latest in a string of fine ODI innings he has played since making his debut. It was his first big knock since return from injury and will do his personal confidence a world of good.
