Babar Azam celebrates Pakistan’s 20th T20I win in a year, clean sweep

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam took to his social media to celebrate the 20th T20I win of the team in a calendar year. The 27-year-old batter was also happy for winning the three-match T20I series with a clean sweep against West Indies in Karachi on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, the skipper wrote: “One more in the collection, Alhumdulillah.”

He also thanked Windies team for their tour despite difficult times of Covid-19. “Special mention to West Indies team for making this tour possible in difficult times. Our whole nation graciously thank you,” he wrote.

One more in the collection, Alhumdulillah. 🏆

Special mention to West Indies team for making this tour possible in difficult times. Our whole nation graciously thank you. 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/5ZkSB84kXF

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) December 16, 2021

Babar and Rizwan, after winning the 20th T20I in a year, shared their views about the national side. Babar credited Pakistan team for their successful run in T20Is in 2021. The captain also showered praise on his opening partner.

Calling him a wonderful human being and speaking about the way Rizwan has improved his game, Babar said: “According to me, I’m privileged to have such a talented cricketer, a wonderful human being, someone who gels everyone together and someone who is looked up to by everyone.”

“The way Rizwan improved his game, confidence levels and belief in himself is evident for everyone to see in the last one year. I’m happy that he is the leading T20I run-scorer in 2021,” he added.

He credited the entire team for the success and noted: “The credit goes to the team and the players for their efforts, and believing in themselves. Communication and backing the players has been quite helpful for us. Every player in our dressing room is a match-winner.”

Babar Azam, the record holder for captaining a side in most wins (20) in a year, and 2021's most successful batter Mohammad Rizwan recap the series#HumTouKhelainGey #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/hyazJnqLHR

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 16, 2021

Mohammad Rizwan finished 2021 as the leading run-scorer in T20Is with 1,326 runs in 29 matches at an average of nearly 74. He also became the first cricketer to score over 2,000 T20 runs (2,036 runs) in a calendar year.

Rizwan and Babar powered Pakistan to their highest successful chase in T20I cricket as well as beating West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I in Karachi. Babar contributed 79 off 53 balls, while Rizwan was the aggressor, hitting 87 off just 45 with the help of ten fours and three sixes.

At the end, Asif Ali hit a flurry of boundaries to level the scores and sealing the deal for the national side, scoring 21* off just 7 balls.

All-rounder Shadab Khan, pacer Haris Rauf and power hitter Asif also took to their social media to express their joy after winning the series with a clean sweep.

Alhamdulilah. Another team effort and another victory. 3-0 series win. This team is united, we back and trust each other. A huge thank you to our home crowd. A very special thank you to West Indies as well for this wonderful T20I series. #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/NO1Fyxkesl

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) December 16, 2021

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A post shared by Haris Rauf (@harisraufofficial)

Alhumdolillah https://t.co/85dlsc09vo

— Asif Ali (@AasifAli45) December 16, 2021

Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja also lauded both the openers and team for the achievement.

#PAKvWI Very impressive record chase tonight.Self belief & calmness was at the heart of that feat!Great year for Rizwan & he doesn’t have a bad partner in Babar too. Pity about the rescheduling of the ODI series but we will have a full fledged fit WI team for that June encounter.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) December 16, 2021