PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Goes Past Joe Root to Become The Highest Run Scorer in Test Cricket in 2022

Babar Azam, on Monday, December 26, became the leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2022. The stylish right-handed batter achieved the milestone on the opening day of the ongoing Test against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Babar Azam becomes the leading run-scorer in Tests in 2022.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2022

The Pakistan captain slammed a sensational century, which also happens to be his fourth Test century this year, and went past former England Test captain Joe Root, who has scored 1098 runs from 15 matches at an average of 45.75.

The Lahore-born has also broken Inzamam ul Haq’s record of the most fifty-plus Test scores by a Pakistan captain in a calendar year (10 in 1995, 2000, and 2005). Babar now has 11 fifty-plus scores in red-ball cricket this year.

Babar Azam At Pakistan’s Rescue Again

Once again, Babar Azam comes good when Pakistan need him to 🙌#PAKvNZ | #WTC23 | 📝: https://t.co/HdzZd87PUv pic.twitter.com/gW0xdDefSY

— ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2022

Babar came in the middle when Pakistan was tottering on 19 for the loss of wickets after electing to bat. He forged crucial partnerships with Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel to help Pakistan gain momentum.

Babar added a 29-run partnership with Imam ul Haq and later added a valuable 62-rub stand with Saud Shakeel. The 24-year-old reached the three-figure mark off 155 deliveries. During the time of reporting, he was playing at 126 with the comeback man Sarfaraz Ahmed batting at 61.

England recently white-washed Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the three-match Test series and the ongoing series against the Kiwis are going to be crucial for them from WTC’s final qualifications point of view. New Zealand is already out of the race.