PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Equals Mahendra Singh Dhoni in this Matter

Pakistan beat New Zealand by 88 runs in the first match of the five-match T20I series on Friday (April 14) to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Pakistani captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan’s team was reduced to 182 runs in 19.5 overs. In response, New Zealand’s team was all out for 94 runs in 15.3 overs.

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This was Babar Azam’s 100th T20 match as a player. He made it memorable with a big win. Shoaib Malik (123) and Mohammad Hafeez (119) have played more T20 matches for Pakistan than him. Shahid Afridi played 98 T20s. Babar has captained Pakistan in 67 out of 100 T20 matches. This is the 41st victory of the Pakistani team under his captaincy. Babar has reached equal to former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in terms of winning the most T20 matches.

Babar Azam Will Become the Most Successful T20 Captain

Dhoni had captained in 72 T20 matches and he had won 41 matches. The players who have won the most T20 matches under their captaincy are Eoin Morgan of England and Asghar Stanikzai of Afghanistan. Morgan 42 in 72 and Stanikzai 42 in 52 matches. Babar Azam is just one win away from equalizing the two. If he gets two wins, he will become the most successful T20 captain in the world.

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Matt Henry’s hat-trick in Vain

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry took a hat-trick in the very first match of the series. At the same time, Fakhar Zaman and Sam Ayub scored 47-47 runs. Fast bowler Haris Rauf wreaked havoc, taking four wickets. New Zealand have sent their second-rate team for this tour. Many important players are not playing in this team. Several Kiwi players including Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Devon Conway are busy in the IPL. In such a situation, New Zealand Cricket has sent those players for the tour who are not part of any team in IPL.