Babar Azam capped a memorable return to Pakistan's T20 team by breaking the record for the most runs in the format and scoring a match-winning fifty against South Africa.
On Friday, Babar broke former India captain Rohit Sharma's record for most runs in T20s, going past the mark of 4,231 runs, as Pakistan hammered South Africa by nine wickets and levelled their series in Lahore.
One day later, Babar returned to score a timely fifty in the series decider as the hosts clinched a four-wicket win at the same venue to secure a 2-1 series victory.
Former captain Babar, returning to the T20 team after a year, scored a superb 68 from 47 deliveries in front of a record crowd of over 32,000.
The result, however, was set up by another stunning effort from the home team's bowlers as they restricted the visitors to 139-9.
Babar had looked out of touch at the start of the series but delivered when it mattered.
He put on 76 for the third wicket with captain Salman Agha (33 from 26 balls).
“This innings was due,” Babar said at the post-match presentation. “I backed myself and the team believed in me. I was hoping for such a knock.
“There is pressure in everything. It is about how you absorb it and I wanted to do what the team needed, play according to the situation.
“We wanted to take it deep and build partnerships and it worked for the team.”
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi made a blistering start with two wickets in the opening over to put the Proteas on the back foot and finished with figures of 3-26.
Several South African batters made starts but wickets fell at regular intervals.
Reeza Hendricks top-scored with 34 and Corbin Bosch (30 not out) and captain Donovan Ferreira (29) also made decent contributions.
“We didn't perform with the bat once again,” Ferreira said. “The bowlers did well to fight until the end but there were not enough runs on the board.
“Credit to them, though – they fought really hard even when things weren’t in our favour. But it’s all part of the learning curve. We’ve got a young group, and every game brings lessons.”
The two teams next face off in a three-match ODI series beginning in Faisalabad on Tuesday.
Pakistan captain Agha was pleased with the fight shown by the team, but warned that the hectic schedule meant it was going to be difficult to maintain performance levels.
“A good team always backs up one good performance with another, and I’m very happy with the way the boys have done that. Every player now knows his role,” he said.
“We’ve learnt to play smart when the game demands it, and that’s been the difference in the last two matches. We’ve got 14–15 games in 25 days, so rotation is important. It’s tough for players to go every game, and I’m really happy that everyone’s stepping up when given a chance.”
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
Jawan
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
THE SPECS
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
