Babar Azam etches his name in history by scoring 4,000 Test runs

CENTURION: Pakistan’s cricketing sensation Babar Azam etched his name in the history on Thursday by becoming the third batter in the world to score 4,000 runs in all three formats of the game.

The former Pakistani skipper achieved the milestone during Pakistan’s first Test against South Africa in Centurion.

He reached the landmark in style, scoring a boundary off Corbin Bosch’s delivery in the 14th over. However, he was dismissed shortly after for just four runs.

The achievement made him the first Pakistani and only the third batter globallyalongside India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, to reach 4,000 runs in Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals.

In addition to this remarkable feat, Babar Azam also became the 12th Pakistani batter to score 4,000 runs in Test cricket.

At the close of the opening day’s play, South Africa had scored 82 for the loss of three wickets in response to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 211. The hosts trail by 129 runs with seven wickets in hand.

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Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch proved devastating for Pakistan’s batting lineup as they collectively took nine wickets with Bosch dismissing 4 and Paterson 5.

After Pakistan finished their innings at 211, South Africa took a shaky start as their opener Tony de Zorzi was dismissed early by Khurram Shahzad for just 2 runs. dismissing one-down batter Ryan Rickelton for 24.

South Africa’s batting lineup was just settling down after the furious attacks of Khurram Shahzad that Mohammad Abbas put them in a precarious position by trapping Tristan Stubbs lbw.

Aiden Markram (47), and Temba Bavuma (4) remained unbeaten at the stumps on the first day of play.

Winning both tests is vital for Pakistan in order to have any chance of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship finals. South Africa is currently first in the table, while Pakistan are seventh.

Pakistan’s squad for the two tests and their playing XI for the first was revealed earlier. Shan Masood continues to lead the red-ball side, hoping to win his second series as skipper after beating England 2-1 earlier this year in October.