Babar Azam equals Jos Buttler’s T20 fifty record

Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam joined former England captain Jos Buttler in the record books, equalling his tally of 97 T20 half-centuries during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 clash against Melbourne Renegades at Docklands Stadium on Thursday.

Babar’s match-winning innings of 58 not out off 46 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, helped the Sixers chase down 165 with six wickets in hand.

The 31-year-old reached this milestone in his 333rd T20 appearance, which also includes 11 centuries. Buttler achieved the same mark in 476 matches with eight centuries.

The record for the most T20 fifties remains with Australian great David Warner, who has 113 half-centuries in 428 matches.

Top T20 fifties

Batting first, the Renegades managed 164-9 in 20 overs. Opener Josh Brown struck a rapid 43 off 19 balls with three fours and four sixes. Jake Fraser-McGurk contributed 38 off 29 deliveries, while Hassan Khan scored 39 off 29 balls, including three sixes. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply for six runs.

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Sean Abbott led the Sixers’ bowling with figures of 3-16 in four overs, supported by Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, and Hayden Kerr, who took two wickets each.

Chasing 165, the Sydney Sixers reached the target in 19.1 overs. Babar Azam anchored the innings, while Daniel Hughes added 30 off 23 balls, and Joel Davies finished unbeaten on 34 off 15 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes.

With the win, Sydney Sixers moved to sixth place in the BBL 15 points table, with two wins and three losses from five games, four points, and a net run rate of 0.202. Melbourne Renegades remain seventh with one win and three losses from four matches, two points, and a net run rate of -0.879.