In a thrilling encounter at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin, the Men in Green, Pakistan, emerged victorious in the recently-concluded T20I series against Ireland, securing a 2-1 win. The series was marked by stellar performances from Pakistani stalwarts, with captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan etching their names in the annals of cricket history with remarkable records.
Despite a stumble in the first match, Pakistan orchestrated a remarkable comeback, displaying dominance in the subsequent two matches to clinch the series.
Babar Azam, hailed as one of the most talented batters in modern cricket, showcased his prowess by becoming the first Pakistani to score 25 runs in an over in the shortest format of the game against Ireland. The 29-year-old captain hammered four sixes off Benjamin White, accompanied by a single run, in a breathtaking display of power-hitting. Prior to Babar’s feat, only four Pakistani batters had managed to accumulate as many as 24 runs in an over.
Not stopping at breaking records, Babar Azam further solidified his stature in the cricketing world by surpassing Virat Kohli’s record as the highest 50+ scorer in T20 internationals. His masterful innings of 75 runs in the final match against Ireland marked his 39th instance of scoring more than 50 runs, surpassing Kohli’s tally of 38 times and Rohit Sharma’s 34 times. Babar joined the ranks of Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah in achieving this remarkable milestone for Pakistan.
The partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan proved to be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s success in the series. In a standout performance against Ireland, Babar crafted a sublime innings of 75 runs off 42 balls, featuring an array of boundaries, including 5 sixes and 6 fours. Complementing his captain’s brilliance, Rizwan contributed a crucial 56 runs, embellished with 3 sixes and 4 fours. Their formidable partnership of 139 runs not only propelled Pakistan to victory but also etched their names in the record books as the first pair to achieve 10 century partnerships in T20 internationals. Additionally, Babar and Rizwan became the inaugural duo to amass 3,000 runs in partnership, further solidifying their status as a dynamic and prolific batting pair.
While Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie showcased commendable partnership with 2,043 runs, and India’s Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul boasted five century partnerships in T20Is, it was Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan who stood out with their remarkable achievements. Babar’s 17th century partnership in T20Is and Rizwan’s 13th century partnership further underscored their consistency and excellence on the international stage.
As the cricketing world applauds their remarkable performances, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan continue to inspire a new generation of cricketers, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with their exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
