Babar Azam: The calm in Pakistan’s chaos

Lo and behold, Pakistan are still alive. And so is the World Cup that was slowly turning into a yawn-fest if it weren’t for the sport’s most dramatic team. After 5 wins on the trot, the law of averages was bound to get to New Zealand. All it took was the pace venom of Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi and a classic display of batsmanship from one man – Babar Azam. Pakistan’s crème de la crème has become their first one to register a century in this World Cup. Is that even a surprise?

In one of the most satisfying hundreds of his career, Babar got the job done for his team without breaking a sweat. He’s gotten two fifties and a couple of thirty-plus scores in the tournament but has thrown away all those starts. It has frustrated him and all those around him. Not this time. The conditions were tough, New Zealand’s pacers were steaming in but Babar was in the mood to relish the challenge. With no pressure of a soaring run rate, he had all the time in the world to cook up a masterclass. And he did. Simmering at first, sautéing boundaries the next moment and garnishing with a hint of euphoria at the end. The scent of victory had overtaken the stands at Edgbaston and the streets of Birmingham.

Most runs scored by a batsman aged 24 or under in a single Men’s @cricketworldcup.

Babar Azam is in decent company on this list.#WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/4aGlcnsStv

— ICC (@ICC) June 26, 2019

“One of my best”

“I can say this was one of my best innings”, Babar says in the post-match press conference. There’s no smile on his face, no sign of overconfidence. Just a sense of poise. He knows the job is only half done. Pakistan are reeling in 6th place on the points table with similar numbers as that of Bangladesh. They’ve got the crucial win against the Kiwis, but their fate still hangs in the air. Their journey in this World Cup is eerily similar to the 1992 World Cup. Their captain has said that they’re not thinking about ’92. But with the media and fans leaving no stone unturned in pointing out the coincidences at every stage, it’s bound to creep into the subconscious mind.

A World Cup century, especially a first, is always special. For Babar, this extraordinary knock has been a coming of age. It has redefined his zest to play for Pakistan at the highest level. It may just as well have silenced some of his detractors who’ve accused him of playing for himself and not leading his team to victories in the past. But above all, it has added a touch of calm to the storm that is Pakistan. We kept seeing glimpses of his brilliance in the matches before, but last night was an exhibition of pure class and tenacity.

Here’s a list of records made by Babar Azam in his 101* vs New Zealand:

• First World Cup century for Pakistan by a non-opening batsman since 1987 (Saleem Malik)
• Second fastest batsman to score 3000 ODI runs (68 innings)
• Fifth most runs scored by a batsman aged 24 and under in a Men’s Cricket World Cup (333)