‘# 1 For a reason!’ – Fans react as Babar Azam becomes first captain to score 150 in Asia Cup history

In the opening game of the 16th Asia Cup, Pakistan dominated their match against debutants Nepal, securing a commanding victory by a margin of 238 runs on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium. This triumph marked a strong beginning for the top-ranked ODI team, highlighting their status as favorites for both the Asia Cup 2023 and the upcoming 2023 World Cup set to be held in India. The one-sided nature of the match showcased Pakistan’s prowess and underlined their potential for success in these prestigious tournaments. But the match will be known for some exceptional batting from the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam notched his 19th ODI century in the Asia Cup’s opening match against Nepal, marking the tournament’s first century. Azam, with 9 boundaries, guided his team alongside veteran Iftikhar Ahmed (56), solidifying their position for a competitive total. Despite an 86-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, Azam saw Rizwan fall to an unusual run-out. This century reinforces Azam’s pivotal role and Pakistan’s quest for a substantial score, offering promise in the tournament.

Throughout the innings, the star Pakistan batter looked formidable in shot selection as well as also played cautiously considering that the Pakistan team did not have the best of starts. It is not to forget that at one stage Pakistan’s side were struggling at 25/2 and needed to rebuild the innings so that the host could post a formidable first-innings total.

The star India batter did not just stop after that, after completing the century the Pakistan skipper went bonkers as he finished the innings at 151. Meanwhile, in the process, he also became the first skipper in the history of the Asia Cup to score 150 runs in an innings.

Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this innings from skipper Azam:

Babar Azam became the fastest to score 19 centuries in ODIs

In the Asia Cup opener, Babar Azam showcased his batting brilliance, smashing his 19th ODI century and making history. Surpassing elite players like Virat Kohli, Hashim Amla, Warner, and AB de Villiers, Babar achieved this milestone in just 102 innings. He became the fastest to reach 19 ODI centuries, breaking Amla’s record of 104 innings.

The legendary Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli achieved it in 124 innings, while the Australian star opener Warner achieved the feat in 139, and the former South Africa great de Villiers did it in in 171. Babar’s exceptional feat cements his stature as the premier batter for Pakistan, elevating his team’s prospects in the 50-over format and the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.