T20 WC: Babar-Rizwan surpass Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan to achieve momentous T20I record

As Pakistan went on to become the first team to enter the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup with a 45 run win over Namibia in Abu Dhabi.

This was Pakistan’s fourth straight win of the tournament, their opening pair Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan continued their brilliant form with the bat and put on yet another fine performance, with both batsmen scoring fifty and putting on 113 runs partnership for the first wicket.

In doing this, Babar and Rizwan went past India's decorated opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to become the duo with most century partnerships in T20I cricket. This was the fifth time Babar and Rizwan added over 100 runs for Pakistan's first wicket.

The list doesn’t end there. The opening pair Babar and Rizwan have also been involved in the most 50-plus partnerships in T20Is in a year. Against Namibia was the seventh time of the duo adding over 50 runs in 2021, one more than Guptill and Williamson's six in 2016.

Another magnificent record is that Mohammad Rizwan now holds the feat for the most runs in mens T20Is with 1661 runs and with at least two matches left. Rizwan is second only to Chris Gayle (1665) in terms of highest runs in a year, which he looks set to outdo.

Rizwan got there through his innings of unbeaten 77 on Friday, and in the process he overtook his partner Babar and India skipper Virat Kohli.

Also Read: T20 WC: Aus's top-order needs to fire, they need to move from defeat against Eng, says Lee