Babar Azam scored his second half-century in Twenty20 Internationals

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

On a historic night in Lahore, Babar Azam put on a show for Pakistan fans as he smashed a career-best 86 to lead his side to a 20-run win over the World XI in Lahore.

The main aim of the tournament is to help bring international cricket back to Pakistan as the country has not hosted any Full Member nations, except Zimbabwe, since Sri Lanka’s team bus was attacked by militants in March 2009.

Being put in to bat first, Pakistan were dealt a major blow on the fourth ball of the match as opener Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Morne Morkel for eight runs.

Azam and Ahmed Shehzad made up for the early loss of Zaman as they put together a brilliant 122-run partnership, during which Azam raced past his half-century.

With Pakistan firmly in the driver’s seat, the World XI began to fight back, starting with the wicket of Shehzad, who was caught by Darren Sammy at deep square leg off the bowling of Ben Cutting for 39.

Azam went on to score 86 off 52 balls, which included 10 boundaries and two sixes, before he was caught by David Miller at deep midwicket off the bowling of Imran Tahir.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed only scored four runs, but Shoaib Malik thumped a quickfire 38 to help his side finish on 197/5 off their 20 overs.

Thisara Perera was the pick of the bowlers, while Morkel, Cutting and Tahir chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 198 to win, the World XI got off to a brisk start as Tamim Iqbal and Hashim Amla amassed a 43-run partnership before Tamim was clean bowled by Rumman Raees for 18.

Raees struck again four balls later as Amla was caught by Imad Wasim at extra cover for 26.

World XI captain Faf du Plessis and Tim Paine stabilised the innings with a 53-run stand before Du Plessis was sent packing by Shadab Khan for 29.

Paine went on to make 25 before he was removed by Sohail Khan.

Once Paine was gone, the World XI began to lose wickets at regular intervals and even though Darren Sammy hammered an unbeaten 29 in quick time, it was not enough to get his side over the finish line as they ended up making 177/7 off their 20 overs.

Raees, Sohail and Shadab claimed two wickets each.

Despite losing, Du Plessis was glad to be playing cricket in Pakistan, and said: “It was a good game, I thought Pakistan played exceptionally well. I thought it was a 180 wicket, so maybe we gave away 20 runs too many. Our bowling was possibly one-dimensional. They had a lot of variety, spinners, left-arm, right-arm.

“It was a great occasion to play here, and as soon as we walked into the field, it was just a normal game. I needed to get a 50 or 60 for us to win. Quick turnaround, I don’t think I’ve ever played two T20s in two days. Great to play in front of the Pakistani fans, hopefully next two games we can get a full house.”

Sarfraz was thrilled to have won on home soil, and said: “It was a very important match, after Champions Trophy. No praise is too high for our players, especially Babar Azam, and the way Ahmed Shehzad played, and the way Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim finished the innings. We’ve got some very good players, which is why the selection committee is giving them a lot of opportunities. Our fitness is getting better day after day, and the humidity today was a test of it, and we passed it.”

Azam was named Man of the Match, and said: “There was no pressure. It was just a slow wicket, so I thought I’ll take my time and play my natural game. Once I got a partnership with Ahmed bhai, I just wanted to take it as far as I could.”