Babar Azam's Highest Individual Score in Each Format

If there's one batsman in the world of cricket today whose classical technique and flawless timing have everyone enamored, it's Pakistan's run-machine, Babar Azam. In a very short time, Babar Azam has made his mark in all three formats of international cricket Test, ODI, and T20I- and even holds the record for most runs in PSL history. Every shot of his is a sight to behold, and when the ball passes through the middle of his bat, it's as if the entire stadium erupts in cheers.

But do you know what Babar Azam's highest score is in every format? When, against whom, and in which stadium did he play the most memorable and greatest innings of his life? If you want to know about his golden records in detail, then you have come to the right place. In this mega content piece, we will provide a complete breakdown of Babar Azam's Highest Individual Score in each format. This article is prepared with complete statistics, real match situations, and deep analysis so that you can understand the real story of each innings.

Test Cricket: The Epic 196 vs Australia (Karachi, 2022)

The most amazing and biggest innings of Babar Azam's Test career was seen during Australia's tour of Pakistan in the year 2022. This innings played at Karachi's National Stadium (now National Bank Stadium) was not only great in terms of runs, but the psychological pressure and match situation behind it made this innings a priceless gem in cricket history. Australia had given Pakistan an impossible target of 506 runs to win, or else Pakistan had to bat for almost two days to save the match.

When Pakistan had lost two wickets for just 21 runs, then captain Babar Azam came to the crease. Australia faced a world-class bowling attack, consisting of champions like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Swepson. The fifth-day pitch in Karachi had broken down; the ball was turning, and variable bounce was visible. In such a situation, Babar Azam along with Abdullah Shafique formed a partnership that will be remembered for centuries. Babar Azam faced 425 balls in this innings and scored 196 runs. In this brilliant marathon innings, he hit 21 fours and 1 six. His strike rate was 46.11, which shows how patiently and controlled he batted. Although he fell just 4 runs short of his double century, his fight-back innings helped Pakistan draw the Test match.

• Opponent: Australia
• Runs Scored: 196
• Balls Faced: 425
• Fours/Sixes: 21/1
• Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
• Match Status: Match Drawn (Historical Save)

One-Day Internationals (ODI): The Masterclass 158 vs England (Birmingham, 2021)

One-Day Internationals (ODIs) are considered Babar Azam's strongest format. His highest individual score in this format is 158 runs, which he made against England in 2021 at his home ground, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Pakistan had lost the first two matches in that series, and there was a lot of criticism of the team as well as Babar's captaincy and his strike rate. In the third ODI, Pakistan had to score a big total at any cost. Babar Azam started this match with great caution. He first set his eyes on the wicket and then, after a defense was set, saved the England bowlers from trouble. He gradually slowed down the run-scoring pace and then played very aggressive cricket in the last overs. He, along with Mohammad Rizwan, completely destroyed the England bowling attack. Babar played an explosive innings of 158 runs in 139 balls, in which his strike rate was 113.66. In this innings, he hit 14 tremendous fours and 4 big sixes. This is the highest individual score by any Pakistani captain in the history of ODI cricket. Although Pakistan lost this match due to the dismissals of Brydon Carse and Lewis Gregory, this innings of Babar became the crown jewel of his ODI career.

• Opponent: England
• Runs Scored: 158
• Balls Faced: 139
• Strike Rate: 113.66
• Fours/Sixes: 14/4
• Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Match Status: England won, but Babar made history

T20 Internationals (T20I): The Historic 122 vs South Africa (Centurion, 2021)

There is always a debate about Babar Azam's strike rate in the shortest format i.e., T20I cricket, but in the year 2021, he played such an innings against South Africa at the Centurion ground that shut the mouths of all his critics forever. Batting first, South Africa had put up a mountain-like total of 203 runs. The ball was bouncing very fast on the Centurion pitch, and the target seemed almost impossible.

Babar Azam started playing shots with an open mind as soon as he came to the wicket. He, along with Mohammad Rizwan, used the pace of the South African bowlers against them. Babar targeted every new bowler and played shots all over the stadium. His cover drive and flick shot were a sight to behold in this match. Together, they made a historic opening partnership of 197 runs. Babar Azam scored 122 runs in just 59 balls. His strike rate was unreal – 206.77! He hit 15 fours and 4 long sixes in this devastating innings. He completed his century in just 49 balls, which was the fastest T20I century by any Pakistani batsman till that time. Due to this innings, Pakistan chased down the target of 204 runs in just 18 overs.

• Opponent: South Africa
• Runs Scored: 122
• Balls Faced: 59
• Strike Rate: 206.77
• Fours/Sixes: 15/4
• Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
• Match Status: Pakistan won by 9 wickets

Format-Wise Highest Scores

These three highest scores of Babar Azam prove that he is not just a flat-track or normal conditions batsman, but he has scored runs for Pakistan in different corners of the world and in the most difficult scenarios. Be it saving a Test match, playing a captaincy innings in ODIs, or chasing a target of 200+ runs in T20Is, Babar has proved himself a genuine match-winner every time.

As a cricket fan, which of these three innings is your favorite? Do you like his 196 in Karachi or 122 in Centurion? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below!