Watch: Peshawar Zalmi’s Babar Azam, attempting to scoop a delivery, unleashed an uncharacteristically inventive stroke through deep point on his way to his second PSL century, against Islamabad United.

Babar ended unbeaten on 111, powering Zalmi to 201-5 – he finished with a strike rate of 176.19, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. Only fellow opener Saim Ayub (38 off 21) crossed 20 among the other top-six batters. Asif Ali remained unbeaten on 17 off 9.

Babar reached his century in the 19th over, having hit Hunain Shah for 23 runs in the previous over. It was a remarkable recovery for Zalmi, who had found themselves at 125-5 at the 15-over mark.

At one point, he was on 52 off 42, but proceeded to smash 48 off the next 17, bringing out some invention in the process.

One such hit came off the fifth ball of the 20th over: Babar shaped up to scoop Faheem Ashraf, but changed his stance as the bowler hurled it wide of the off stump, deftly guiding it to the deep point fence for a boundary, between backward point and short third man.

This is Babar’s 11th century in T20 cricket. Only Chris Gayle (22) has hit more hundreds.

Watch: Babar Azam turns scoop shot into square drive

 

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HBL Pakistan Super League 2023/24Peshawar ZalmiPakistan Babar AzamVideosGlobal T20 LeaguesSeries EditorialIslamabad United