Babar tops legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni, achieving an exclusive feat in T20 WC

New Delhi: The Pakistani skipper broke an elusive record of the Iconic Ex Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Babar achieved this feat on 16th June, Sunday, playing against Ireland in their last league match of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani team has been already knocked out of the tournament. Due to their poor performance, the men in green have been facing backlash from all corners since their elimination. Babar and Co. played their last league match against Ireland at the Central Broward Regional Park, Florida. Both teams failed to qualify for Super 8.

Babar breaks Dhoni’s Record in a dead rubber against Ireland

In this dead rubber, Pakistan beat the Irish team by 7 wickets. Babar Azam played a sluggish knock and anchored Pakistan’s innings. He scored 32* off 34 deliveries. Although not a memorable tournament for Babar, the innings against Ireland fetched him an exclusive record under his name.

The Pakistani captain surpassed Captain Cool, MS Dhoni, scoring the most runs by a captain in the T20 World Cup. Babar has made 549 runs in 17 innings. Previously, MS held the title of scoring the most runs as captain in the T20 WC with 529 runs in 29 innings.

549 – Babar Azam, 17 inns
529 – MS Dhoni, 29 inns
527 – Kane Williamson, 19 inns
360 – M Jayawardene, 11 inns
352 – Graeme Smith, 16 inns

Kane Williamson to surpass Dhoni and Babar?

However, Kane Williamson can overtake the former Indian skipper soon as the Kiwi’s skipper is just trailing by 2 runs. Kane could get past Dhoni’s 529 runs on Monday as New Zealand will clash against Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad.

Shahenshah Afridi named MOTM

 

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However, Babar achieved this feat with the bat, and Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi was declared the player of the match for his all-rounder performance.  Shaheen clinched 3 wickets in 4 overs by spending just 22 runs and smashed 2 sixes towards the end, sealing the game for his team in a thrilling chase.

This was his 3rd MOTM in the T20 WC. Now, Shaheen stands equal to the former speedster Umar Gul for MOTM awards for Pakistan in T20 WC. Shahid Afridi holds the most number of POTM awards (4) for the men in green in T20 World Cups.