Babar Azam Creates History; Sets Massive World Record Ahead of T20WorldCup 2024
(ICC)
Babar’s side successfully chased down Ireland’s decent total of 193/7 with more than three overs remaining courtesy of a 140-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (75*) and Fakhar Zaman (78) and it proved the record-breaking 45th T20I victory for Pakistan’s influential captain.
It took Babar past Uganda’s Brian Masaba for the most wins by male T20I captains and in front of former skippers in the ilk of England’s Eoin Morgan, India’s MS Dhoni and Australia’s Aaron Finch.
Most wins as captain – Men’s T20I
| 45 | Babar Azam | Pakistan |
| 44 | Brian Masaba | Uganda |
| 42 | Eoin Morgan | England |
| 42 | Asghar Afghan | Afghanistan |
| 41 | MS Dhoni | India |
| 41 | Rohit Sharma | India |
| 40 | Aaron Finch | Australia |
| 39 | Ahmed Faiz | Malaysia |
| 38 | Gerhard Erasmus | Namibia |
| 37 | Kane Williamson | New Zealand |
While Babar failed to trouble the scorers against Ireland as he edged a Graham Hume delivery to keeper Lorcan Tucker in the second over, Rizwan and Fakhar combined to steady the ship and guide Pakistan to a series-levelling victory.
Fakhar displayed his power-hitting prowess as he smashed six sixes and a steadier Rizwan played the support role with aplomb as the pair put on 140 in quick time to take the game away from Ireland.
While Fakhar was dismissed in the 15th over to provide the hosts with a glimmer of hope, Azam Khan joined the party to hit an unbeaten 30 from just 10 deliveries to guide Pakistan home.
The third and final game of the series will be played in Dublin on Tuesday.