ISLAMABAD: Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam equalled Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan’s partnership record for Pakistan in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Imam and Babar’s partnership in ODI cricket has been tremendous over the years.
They’ve scored many runs together and have now equalled the partnership record set by Yousuf and Younis — two cricket legends of Pakistan. Imam and Babar scored a ton for the country nine times, similar to Yousuf and Khan’s record.
Let’s take a look at some other hundred partnerships for Pakistan (ODIs):
- Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf — eight times
- Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq — seven times
- Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman — six times
- Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Malik — six times
- Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik — six times
A day earlier, Pakistan registered their first one-day series win over New Zealand in 12 years with the hard-fought 26-run victory in the third match in Karachi on Wednesday.
Imam-ul-Haq scored 107-ball 90 while Babar Azam scored a 62-ball 54 for his 26th ODI half-century to guide the Pakistani cricket team to 287-6 in their 50 overs.
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan won the first two cricket matches by 5 and 7 wickets, respectively, and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-cricket match series.
Babar said, “It’s always the relief when you win the series, and it was a good team effort,” and “We put (on) a reasonable total, and then (the) bowlers were outstanding.
“The focus is now not to relax and come out strongly for the next two cricket matches; we can continue to give one hundred per cent.” The last two cricket matches are on Friday and Sunday in Karachi.
Pakistan’s previous ODI series win over New Zealand was in 2011, and since then, they’ve lost 6 of the 7 series, with one drawn.
