On this day in 2019, Pakistan's ace batter Babar Azam scored a magnificent unbeaten 101 in a must-win game for Pakistan against New Zealand. The Kiwis were restricted to 238 courtesy of a brilliant opening bowling burst by Shaheen Afridi. New Zealand's top order was blown away by Pakistan's bowling attack, but a crucial partnership between Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme took the black caps to a respectable total.
Pakistan's attempt to chase down the target began with a few hiccups as opener Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq were sent back to the pavilion shortly. A total which seemed to be an easy one to achieve was suddenly getting out of hand. This was the moment when Babar Azam showed signs of his peak powers and scored a match-winning 101*, an innings still regarded as his best to date.
Babar's start was patient and steady but he owned Trent Boult with two beautiful cover drives. A little partnership with veteran batter Mohammad Hafeez laid the foundation for the chase, however, Willamson dismissed Hafeez as he holed one out to the deep mid-wicket.
New Zealand saw the opening and one more wicket could have exposed the lower order. Pakistan's sinking ship which Babar was sailing alone was supported by the new batter Haris Sohail. Few majestic boundaries and a huge six to Mitchell Santner by Haris calmed down things for the Green Shirts. Babar, at the other end, was keeping things quiet milking singles and doubles to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The pitch was proving to be a difficult one for the batters. With Santner and Williamson turning the ball square, the batting duo had to be careful at attacking them. With every delivery, Babar's knock was turning into a masterclass. Both the spin bowlers had no answer to his brilliance as he smashed them for fours through the mid-wicket region.
The batter showed resistance, class, and temperament as the crowd erupted for his hundred. The innings kept Pakistan's hopes for the semi-finals alive and is still remembered as one of Babar's top innings of his career.