A Landmark Test at Gaddafi Stadium
The iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore played host to a thrilling first Test between Pakistan and South Africa as the two cricketing giants clashed in the opening match of the new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The match not only marked the return of elite red-ball cricket to the ground but also witnessed a monumental individual achievement.
Babar Azam Returns in Style
Pakistan’s star batsman, Babar Azam, made his return to the national Test squad following his exclusion from the UAE tri-series and the 2025 Asia Cup. Although his innings was brief, it was historic. On Sunday, Babar reached a significant milestone in the WTC — becoming the first Asian batsman to cross the 3,000-run mark in the tournament’s history.
His innings of 23 runs from 48 deliveries, featuring four boundaries, may not seem monumental at a glance. However, the moment he scored his second run, Babar etched his name into the record books, achieving what no other Asian batter had managed in the WTC era.
WTC Rankings: Babar Among Elite Company
With his current tally standing at 3,021 runs in 37 Tests, Babar Azam now ranks seventh in the list of all-time leading run-scorers in World Test Championship history. He surpassed several prominent names and is now only behind a handful of cricket’s most accomplished players.
The only other Asian cricketer close to Babar’s WTC record is Shubman Gill, the Indian Test captain, who has scored 2,826 runs in 39 matches. Gill recently delivered a commanding unbeaten 129-run performance against the West Indies in Delhi, further establishing his growing stature.
Top Run-Scorers in World Test Championship History
The World Test Championship was launched in 2019 to add competitive edge and context to bilateral Test series. Since its inception, it has tracked some of the finest batting performances in modern cricket. Here is the updated list of top scorers:
- 6,080 – Joe Root (England)
- 4,278 – Steve Smith (Australia)
- 4,225 – Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
- 3,616 – Ben Stokes (England)
- 3,300 – Travis Head (Australia)
- 3,288 – Usman Khawaja (Australia)
- 3,041 – Zak Crawley (England)
- 3,021 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
England’s Joe Root leads the pack, having amassed an incredible 6,080 runs in 69 WTC matches. Australia’s Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne follow in second and third positions, respectively.
Pakistan’s Commanding Performance on Day One
The first day’s play saw Pakistan ending strongly at 313 for 5 at stumps. Imam-ul-Haq led the charge with a fluent 93, narrowly missing out on a century. Captain Shan Masood contributed a solid 76, reinforcing the top order’s strength.
The lower middle order also delivered with Mohammad Rizwan remaining unbeaten on 62, and Salman Agha contributing a composed 52 not out. With both set batters at the crease, Pakistan will aim to build a massive first-innings total on Day Two.
A New WTC Cycle Begins
This series against South Africa marks Pakistan’s first outing in the new WTC cycle, and they’ve begun with a statement of intent. With experienced campaigners like Babar Azam returning and the younger talent stepping up, Pakistan’s Test side seems poised for a strong championship run.
