Pakistan star-batter Babar Azam recorded his 31st career Test half-century during the second of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Azam achieved the milestone on the second day of the Test, where he utilized 63 deliveries for the same at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, May 17. This knock marked Azam’s 20th fifty in the World Test Championship since its inception in 2019. Not only this, but the game marked the 39th Test appearance for Azam within the WTC structure.

The former Pakistan Test captain has not only solidified his stature as one of the most consistent red-ball batters in modern era but also moved into a joint third spot on the all-time leaderboard. He now sits alongside Australia’s Steven Smith and England’s Zak Crawley in the standings.

 

Players with most Half-Centuries in the WTC History

Here is a complete list of the players with most half-centuries in the WTC history-

  • Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) - 24 WTC half-centuries

  • Joe Root (England) - 22 WTC half-centuries

  • Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 20* WTC half-centuries

  • Steve Smith (Australia) - 20 WTC half-centuries

  • Zak Crawley (England) - 20 WTC half-centuries

Babar Azam’s knock makes key impact in Pakistan’s innings

Azam, who missed the opening Test due to a left knee injury arrived at the crease when the Men in Green were struggling at 23/2 with both their openers back in the hut at cheap scores. After suffering a 104-run loss in the first Test, Pakistan wanted to bounce back in the series to level it against their neighbours. Azam played a gritty 68-off-84 with 10 boundaries to help the side chase the 278. The Bengal Tigers looked confident, owing to the mammoth 126 posted by Litton Das in 159 deliveries.

However, after Azam’s dismissal, no other player could stand on the crease for long. Saud Shakeel returned at 8, while Salman Ali Agha posted a 51-ball 21. Muhammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan managed to post 21, 13, and 18 runs, respectively. Khurram Shahzad could also contribute only 10 runs, while Muhammad Abbas remained not out at 0. The Shan Masood-led side was bundled out at 232 runs in just 57.4 overs.