MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam matched a T20 record held by England’s Jos Buttler, achieving the feat during his Sydney Sixers’ win over the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League on Thursday.
The batting maestro’s composed, match-winning knock of 58 not out from 46 balls at Docklands Stadium propelled him to joint-third on the all-time list for most half-centuries in T20 cricket.
Milestone innings
With this innings, Babar registered his 97th T20 fifty, drawing level with former England captain Jos Buttler.
The 31-year-old reached the landmark in his 333rd T20 match, a notably faster ascent than Buttler, who took 476 games to achieve the same feat. Babar’s tally also includes 11 centuries.
The record for the most fifties is held by Australia’s David Warner (113), followed by India’s Virat Kohli (105).
Most T20 fifties
David Warner – 113
Virat Kohli – 105
Babar Azam – 97
Jos Buttler – 97
Alex Hales – 92
Victory on back of Babar’s knock
The milestone came in a crucial winning cause. Chasing 165 for victory, the Sixers were steadied by Babar after early wickets.
He anchored the chase, sharing key partnerships with Daniel Hughes (30) and a blistering Joel Davies, who smashed *34* off 15 balls* to seal the win with five balls to spare.
Earlier, the Renegades’ total of 164 for 9 was built on an explosive start from Josh Brown (43 off 19 balls).
However, the Sixers’ bowlers, led by Sean Abbott’s excellent 3 for 16, regularly took wickets to restrict the flow of runs.
Table implications
The victory lifts the Sydney Sixers to sixth place on the BBL 15 table with two wins from five matches.
The Melbourne Renegades remain in seventh spot after their third loss in four games.
