Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 56 in 49 balls in his first game of the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League against Sylhet Strikers today (January 23) after his side had been reduced to 39-6.
Babar, who was pushed down to No.3 in the recent T20I series in New Zealand for the first time since 2021, returned to open for his team Rangpur Riders in the BPL. Having played the last game against the Black Caps on Sunday, Babar flew down to Bangladesh immediately, making himself available for Tuesday’s clash.
After Sylhet posted 120-8 in the first innings, Rangpur were rocked by some brilliance from Dushan Hemantha. The Sri Lanka leg-spinner picked up three wickets in his first over, reducing the side to 39-6. It was here that Babar’s experience came to the fore: He batted with caution, scoring at run-a-ball for most parts whilst forming a solid foundation with Azmatullah Omarzai.
Babar reached his fifty in 45 deliveries with a four, helping Rangpur wade through the threat before the two batters finished off the game with three fours and a six for their first win in the edition. The former Pakistan skipper hit six fours in his innings.
Recently, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar’s opening partner in T20Is for three years, suggested that breaking their pair “hurt” Pakistan after the side slumped to a 4-1 defeat against New Zealand. Babar, who batted at No.3, scored 57, 66, 58, 19 and 13 in the five games at a strike rate of 142.
