Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam’s century sets up a thumping 63-run win for Somerset

Babar Azam finally smashed a stupendous ton for Somerset in the ongoing T20 Blast and helped the team win by a mammoth 63 runs against Hampshire. Twice before he was left stranded in the 90s and moreover, the team couldn’t get over the line on those occasions. But the world’s number 1 T20I batsman has been extremely consistent in his trade with the bat in the tournament and has been piling on the runs at will.

Hampshire opted to bowl first in Southampton in this South Group and it played into Somerset’s hands. They lost two quick wickets with Tom Banton and James Hildreth getting out early. From here on, Babar Azam took control of the innings to stitch a timely partnership with his skipper Tom Abell. Both of them added 113 runs for the third wicket to set things up for a grand finish.

While Abell scored a century and got out in the 16th over of the innings, Babar continued to pile on the runs for his team.

Babar hits a six off the last ball

Often criticised for playing slowly in the shortest format, Babar Azam, this season, has proved his mettle. In this innings, he upped the ante at the perfect time and made sure he remained unbeaten until the end. Interestingly, he was on 90 when the final over began and there was fear among Pakistan fans that he will once again be left stranded in the 90s.

But this time, the Pakistan cricketer was determined and smacked a sensational six off the final ball of the innings to get to the milestone. Babar remained not-out on 102 off just 55 deliveries with seven fours and six massive maximums as Somerset ended on 202 runs for the loss of four wickets. In reply, Hampshire lost wickets at regular intervals in the chase and were 69/6 in the 13th over when the play stopped due to rain.

Hampshire were 63 runs behind on DLS method and Somerset managed to register their fourth win in eight matches to climb to the fifth position in the points table. Azam is currently the highest run-getter of the T20 Blast. He has scored 425 runs in eight matches with three half-centuries and a ton at an exceptional average of 70.83 and a strike-rate of 155.10.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: