Sylhet: Babar Azam has set a new global benchmark in international cricket this decade after achieving a major milestone during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Babur’s 68 off 84 balls with 10 fours has now become the only batsman to cross 9,000 international runs in the 2020s.
He reached the milestone in his 212th international appearance of the decade, underlining his consistency across formats. His career during this period included 67 half-centuries and 17 centuries at an average of 42.53.
England’s Joe Root is second with 8,305 runs from 120 matches, while Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is third with 7,779 runs from 199 matches.
Most international flows in the current decade (2020s):
- Babar Assam (Pakistan) – 9060 runs
- Joe Root (England) – 8305 runs
- Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 7779 runs
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 7046 runs
- Padum Nissanga (Sri Lanka) – 6873 runs
- Virat Kohli (India) – 6771 runs
- Liton Das (Bangladesh) – 6763 runs
Earlier, Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 232 in their first innings, replying to the hosts’ total of 278 to take a 46-run lead.
At 206 for 8 in 55 overs in the last session, Pakistan could not extend their resistance and were eventually bowled out.
Fast bowler Nahid Rana removed Khurram Shahzad for the ninth wicket after Teneer, before ending the innings by dismissing Sajid Khan after a brief counter-attack.
Sajid Khan scored a blistering 38 off 28 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes to take Pakistan past 200.
Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam took three wickets each in Bangladesh’s attack. Taskin Ahmed and Mehidi Hasan Miraz shared two wickets each in a decent display and supported well.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a bad start when opener Abdullah Fazal was dismissed for nine in the second over by Taskin Ahmed, followed by Azan Awais’ 13 as Pakistan slumped to 23 for 2.
Captain Shaun Masood and Babar Azam then steadied the innings with a 38-run partnership, taking the score to over 50 runs. However, Mehdi Hasan dismissed Miraz Masood for 21 and Pakistan were 61 for 3.
There were further setbacks as southpaw Shakeel fell for 8 and Babar held the innings together with a half-century.
After lunch, Babar found support from Salman Ali Agha on 63 runs. The partnership ended when Nahit Rana dismissed Babur for 68 runs.
Taijul Islam removed Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Ali in quick succession as Bangladesh tightened their grip. Despite late resistance from Sajid Khan and Khurram Shahzad, Pakistan couldn’t avoid bowling shortly after passing 200.