PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam breaks Misbah-ul-Haq’s record

Pakistan captain Babar Azam broke another record after notching up a fifty in the third and final Test against England in Karachi on Saturday.

This was the 23rd international 50-plus score, across all formats, for Azam in 2022, which is the most by any Pakistani batter in a calendar year.

The record was previously held by former captain Misbah ul Haq, who scored 22 50-plus scores in 2013.

Azam’s 23 50-plus scores include 16 fifties and seven centuries.

The overall record for the most 50-plus scores in a calendar year is held by Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 25 in 2014. Australia’s Ricky Ponting is in second place with 24 in 2005.

Along with Azam, India’s Sourav Ganguly and England’s Joe Root have also scored 23 50-plus scores in a year.

Earlier, Azam won the toss Saturday and chose to bat against England in the third Test. 

England, on their first Test tour to Pakistan since 2005, lead the series 2-0 after winning the first match by 74 runs in Rawalpindi and the second by 26 in Multan.

The tourists made two changes from the last Test, bringing in wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and Rehan Ahmed in place of James Anderson and Will Jacks.

Rehan, at 18 years and 126 days, becomes the youngest player to debut for England, beating Brian Close´s record of 18 years and 149 days set in 1949.

Senior Pakistan batter Azhar Ali, who on Friday announced the Karachi Test would be his last, is one of four changes in the home side.

Shan Masood, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Nauman Ali also come in, while Imam-ul-Haq (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood and Mohammad Ali were left out.

Wasim, 21, is playing his first Test.