Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, smashed a match-winning century to guide Colombo Stikers to seven-wicket win over Galle Titans on Monday in Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Babar had a blazing start to his innings as he hit three consecutive boundaries to Kasun Rajitha in the very first over, while chasing a target of 189 set by Titans.
No err in the line, Babar kept his momentum intact and hit Richard Ngarava for a boundary in the fifth over and Tabraiz Shamsi for a six over the fence by the end of the sixth over.
Pakistan captain continued his rampage as he brought up a 34-ball fluent fifty, which was his 87th fifty in the shortest format.
There was, however, no stopping for Babar today as in the 14th over, the right-handed batsman launched two fiery sixes and one four to Akhila Dananjaya, followed by a six to Rajitha in the 15th over – making him the leading run-scorer of the tournament currently.
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Babar was in no mood to spare anyone as he also smashed Shakib for a six in the 16th over, bringing Strikers close to the target.
With Strikers needing 19 from 9 balls, Babar hit Ngarava for a boundary, to bring up his century in just 57 balls. This was Babar’s 10th century in T20s, with only Chris Gayle above him with most centuries (22) in the shortest format.
Strikers needed 14 from last over, which prompted Babar to go for the big shot. However, he miscued and was caught at long off after playing 104-run knock, which included eight fours and five sixes.
Nawaz came next and played a 14-run cameo from 4 balls to take Strikers over the finish line, with one ball remaining.
Babar was declared player of the match for his match-winning knock.
