Babar, Hussain take Pakistan to record total of 205-3

Babar, Hussain take Pakistan to record total of 205-3

KARACHI: Pakistan, a day after equalling their highest total in Twenty20 International cricket, set a new record as Babar Azam failed to reach his maiden T20I century in the second of the three-match series against West Indies here at the National Stadium on Monday night.

Babar remained not out on 97. Needing four runs from the last two balls of the innings he could get just a single off the final ball - three runs short of his first T20I hundred.

However, he succeeded to steer Pakistan to their record total of 205 for three, eclipsing 203-5 scored yesterday against the same opponents and at the same venue, and 203-5 at the same venue against Bangladesh in 2008.

Babar hammered 13 fours and a six during his 58-ball innings and added 119 runs for the second wicket with Hussain Talat, who contributed 63 from 41 balls with eight fours and a six.

This was the first half-century for young Hussain in his second T20 International after he had scored 41 on debut.

After opting for batting first, Pakistan lost their prolific scorer Fakhar Zaman (6) at 11 runs on the board before Babar and Hussain provided a century stand.

The Pakistan team are unchanged after they recorded a massive 143-run win in the first T20I on Sunday while West Indies, on the other side, gave a debut to Odean Smith in place of the injured Permaul.