Web Desk (LTN NEWS): Openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan put on an unbeaten 203-run partnership as Pakistan beat England by ten wickets in the second T20 international in Karachi on Thursday.
Babar hit 110 not out for his second T20I century, while Rizwan hit an unbeaten 88 as the pair chased 200 in 19.3 overs at a packed National Stadium.
With 1,929 runs, the Babar-Rizwan partnership has surpassed Indian stars Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma’s record of 1,743 in 51 matches.
Babar and Rizwan set the record in only 36 games.
The victory tied the seven-match series at 1-1 after England won the first game by six wickets on Tuesday in Karachi.
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Babar, who had a miserable Asia Cup earlier this month, smashed five sixes and 11 fours off 66 balls, while Rizwan hit four sixes and five boundaries in his 51-ball innings.
Babar’s century came off 62 balls, adding to his 122 against South Africa last year in Centurion.
The pair reached 100 in 11.2 overs, marking their seventh century together in T20I cricket.
Rizwan completed his fifty off 30 balls after being dropped on 23 by Alex Hales off Liam Dawson, while Babar took 39 deliveries. It was Pakistan’s second 10-wicket victory in the format, following their first against India in the T20 World Cup last year.
They also surpassed their 197-run opening stand against South Africa last year.
Earlier, England’s stand-in captain Moeen Ali hit a quick half-century to lead his team to 199-5 after winning the toss and batting first.
Moeen smashed four sixes and four fours in his 23-ball 55-ball innings.
Ben Duckett (43), Harry Brook (31), and Alex Hales (30) also contributed as England racked up 119 runs in the final ten overs.
Moeen hit two towering sixes off the final two deliveries of the innings by pacer Mohammad Hasnain.
Pakistan’s bowlers of choice were fast bowlers Haris Rauf (2-30) and Shahnawaz Dahani (2-37).
