Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Azam replaces Kohli as fastest to reach 2,000 T20 runs as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe

Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the fastest batsman to reach 2,000 Twenty20 international runs Sunday, achieving the feat in 52 innings, four fewer than Indian superstar Virat Kohli.

Azam lifted his T20 total to 2,035 runs by making 52 as Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 24 runs to win a T20 series 2-1 at Harare Sports Club.


Kohli has scored 3,159 runs in the 20-over format, but it took him 56 innings to pass the 2,000-run landmark.

After Azam and Kohli come Australia skipper Aaron Finch (62 innings) and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (66).

Azam won the toss, opted to bat and the tourists made 165-3 in 20 overs as they sought redemption after a shock 19-run loss two days ago.

The batting of Mohammad Rizwan (91 not out) and Azam (52) and career-best bowling from Hasan Ali (4-18) ultimately ensured Pakistan would not suffer the humiliation of losing the series.

Zimbabwe made a bold bid for victory, though, reaching 101 for one after 13 overs before being undone by the loss of three wickets within 15 balls for the addition of just eight runs.

As the Pakistan bowlers tightened their grip, only Brendan Taylor (20) made a meaningful score and the hosts finished on 141-7.

"It was a team effort," Azam said. "Rizwan and I wanted to take it deep, and I thought we finished very well.

"When I went in to bat, the wicket looked better than the first two games. I want to give Zimbabwe credit, they played brilliantly in the first half of the innings."

Player of the series Rizwan said: "The ball was coming onto the bat initially, but the ball kept stopping later on.

- 'Hard wicket' -

"We wanted to stay out there because we thought it was a hard wicket to get adjusted on. Babar and my plan was whoever hangs around has to stay there till the end."

Ali, who was voted player of the match, said: "The way their openers played was brilliant, but we felt we were in control if we got one wicket. The ball wasn't really coming on to the bat."

Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams was upbeat despite the series loss.

"We've got some talented young batsmen like Wesley Madhevere and a good group of bowlers. In the middle period, we had to attack the spinners more aggressively, but we're getting there."

It was the second successive T20 series success for the tourists after beating South Africa 3-1 before travelling to Harare.

Rizwan cracked three sixes and five fours as Pakistan exceeded the expectations of Azam, who believed it would be a challenge to surpass 140 on what he considered a bowler-friendly pitch.

After the loss of Sharjeel Khan for 18 off the last ball of the fourth over, Rizwan and Azam put on 126 for the second wicket before the captain was out in the final over.

Medium pacer Luke Jongwe, the star of the shock Zimbabwe victory, was once again the most impressive bowler with figures of 3-37.

Needing to score at a rate of 8.3 runs an over to overtake Pakistan and achieve a historic first bilateral T20 series victory, Zimbabwe began promisingly.

Unperturbed by the loss of Tarisai Musakanda for 10, fellow opener Wesley Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani speedily compiled a 65-run second-wicket stand.

But when Marumani (35) was bowled by Mohammad Hasnain, Pakistan gained the initiative and Madhevere (59) and Regis Chakabva (0) soon followed to the dressing room.

More For You

kush-maini

Maini is the first Indian driver to secure a victory at the circuit, known for its prestige in the racing world. (Photo: X/@dbmahadik)

Kush Maini becomes first Indian to win Formula 2 Sprint Race

KUSH MAINI became the first Indian to win the Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Monaco Grand Prix, achieving the milestone at the track on Saturday, 24 May.

Maini’s victory at Monaco marked his first win of the F2 season and his first podium with Dams Lucas Oil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Southwest monsoon arrives early in India, earliest onset since 2009

The summer rains typically start in Kerala around June 1 and then move across the country by mid-July, enabling farmers to plant crops like rice, corn, cotton, soybeans and sugarcane. (Representational image: Reuters)

Southwest monsoon arrives early in India, earliest onset since 2009

Monsoon rains reached the coast of India's southernmost state of Kerala on Saturday, arriving eight days earlier than usual and marking the earliest onset in 16 years. The early rains bring the promise of relief from a heatwave and support hopes of a strong harvest.

The monsoon provides nearly 70 per cent of the rain needed by India’s $4 trillion economy, helping to water farms and fill aquifers and reservoirs. Around half of India’s farmland does not have irrigation and relies on the June–September monsoon season for key crops.

Keep ReadingShow less
South-Western-Railways-Getty

South Western’s first service under public ownership on Sunday was a rail replacement bus. (Photo; Getty Images)

South Western Railways returns to public ownership

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAYS on Sunday became the first private train operator in the UK to return to public ownership as part of the Labour government’s plans to renationalise the country’s railways.

Renationalising rail operators is a key policy under prime minister Keir Starmer, who led his party back to power last July after 14 years in opposition.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK freezes London properties linked to Bangladesh's Hasina

Sheikh Hasina. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

UK freezes London properties linked to Bangladesh's Hasina

BRITAIN's top crime-fighting unit has frozen two expensive London homes belonging to connections of Bangladesh's former leader Sheikh Hasina, as investigations into alleged money theft continue.

The National Crime Agency secured court orders to freeze the properties, which belong to Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman. His father, Salman F Rahman, was a close business adviser to Hasina and created the major Bangladeshi company Beximco, reported the Financial Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ana de Armas confirms work ties with Tom Cruise

De Armas addresses rumours as she trains for a high-intensity action film with Cruise

Getty Images

Ana de Armas confirms work ties with Tom Cruise amid romance speculation

Ana de Armas has addressed the ongoing buzz linking her to Tom Cruise, but she’s making it clear: what’s brewing between them isn’t love, it’s just work.

The actress, known for her roles in Blonde and the upcoming Ballerina, has been spotted alongside Cruise several times in recent months at dinners, in parks, and even stepping out of helicopters. These sightings quickly ignited speculation about a possible relationship. But according to de Armas, there’s nothing more to it than professional collaboration.

Keep ReadingShow less