Sylhet: Pakistan star batsman Babar Azam equaled Australian Steve Smith’s record in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) during the second and final Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Babur, who brought up his 31st career Test fifty, became the third-highest fifty-scorer in WTC history alongside Smith and England’s Zach Crowley.
The right-handed batsman scored his 20th half-century at WDC in his 39th Test, moving him to third on the all-time list.
Veteran England player Joe Root is second with 22 fifties, followed by Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne with 24 fifties.
Most Half Centuries in WTC History:
- Marnus Lapuzagne (Australia) – 24
- Joe Root (England) – 22
- Babar Assam (Pakistan) – 20*
- Steve Smith (Australia) – 20
- Zach Crawley (England) – 20
Pakistan posted 140-4 in 39 overs in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings of 278 in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan lost their first wicket in the second over when fast bowler Taskin Ahmed dismissed young opener Abdullah Fazal for 9 runs off 21 balls, including a boundary.
After a brief over rest, the visitors suffered another setback when Taskin dismissed fellow opener Azan Awais for 13 off 34 balls, an innings that included three fours. Pakistan struggled to 22-2 in 10 overs.
Captain Shaun Masood and Babar Azam combined to stabilize the innings, crossing the 50-run mark in a valuable partnership.
However, the 38-run stand was broken when Mehdi Hasan Miraz dismissed Masood, who had scored 21 runs off 26 balls, including 2 fours.
Pakistan slumped to four wickets as Mehidi struck again to apply more pressure, removing South Shakil for 8 off 28 balls, including a boundary.
Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha will open the batting in the second session after the lunch break, Babar was unbeaten on 67 off 82 balls including 5 fours while Agha contributed 19 runs.