With the intent to keep the home team’s pride unflinched, the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam came in to bat on Tuesday when the team was strangling at 21 for 2. Babar formed an impeccable 228-run partnership for the third wicket with Abdullah Shafique. The skipper did not stop even when his partner departed a few runs short of his century. Babar had completed his century the previous day and was nearing his first-ever double century. On a loopy delivery of Nathan Lyon, the ball got an inside edge onto his pad and lobbed in the air to short leg finally being grabbed by Marnus Labuschange. Azam scored 196 off 425 balls, hit 21 boundaries and a six. His innings may have ended in heartbreak but completely changed the fate of the game for the hosts. Babar Azam was awarded the Player of the Man for his extraordinary batting performance.
Also Read: Most T20 Century Partnership: Babar-Rizwan pair breaks the Rohit-Rahul Record against West Indies
Babar Broke A Trio Of Records
Babar Azam Breaks World Record For Highest Score By A Captain In 4th Innings Of A Test. Azam’s 196 is the highest score by a captain of any nationality in the fourth innings of a Test match. Previously, the record was held by England’s Micheal Atherton, who had scored an unbeaten 185 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1995.
The second record smashed by Babar was of the highest score by a Pakistani batter in the fourth innings. Babar’s 196 is the highest score by a Pakistani batsman in the fourth innings of a Test match. Previously, Younis Khan held that record.
The third record broken by Babar is of most balls faced by a Pakistan batter in 4th innings. The skipper faced 425 balls, which makes his knock the longest ever in the 4th innings by a Pakistani batter in Test cricket. The record was previously held by Shoaib Malik playing 329 balls.
