Babar Azam Matches Misbah-ul-Haq’s Record with 70th Fifty-Plus Score as Pakistan Captain

Key points

1. Babar Azam scored 50 off 58 balls on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on November 9, 2026.
2. The half-century was Babar's 70th fifty-plus score as Pakistan captain across international formats, equalling Misbah-ul-Haq's national record.
3. Babar reached 70 fifty-plus scores in 164 innings across 153 matches as captain, while Misbah took 189 innings across 151 matches.
4. Babar struck seven boundaries before Sri Lanka left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him after lunch, with Kusal Mendis taking the catch.
5. The innings was Babar's 144th fifty-plus score in international cricket across all formats.
6. Babar had 7,079 international runs as Pakistan captain in the cited statistical comparison and needed 314 more to pass Misbah's 7,392-run record.

Babar Azam equalled a major Pakistan cricket record on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi on Monday, November 9, 2026. The Pakistan captain scored 50 from 58 deliveries, taking his tally to 70 fifty-plus scores as national captain across international formats and drawing level with former skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

Babar reached the landmark in 164 innings across 153 matches as captain, while Misbah registered the same number of fifty-plus scores in 189 innings across 151 matches. The milestone came in a Test innings that ended shortly after the right-hander had completed his half-century, but it added another entry to his record as Pakistan's all-format leader.

Half-century brings Babar level with Misbah

Babar arrived at the crease after Pakistan had moved to 90 for two. The opening pair had provided a positive start, with Azan Awais scoring 30 and debutant Tayyab Arif making 57. Babar settled into his innings and struck seven boundaries on his way to 50 from 58 balls.

The half-century was his 70th score of 50 or more while captaining Pakistan in Tests, one-day internationals and T20 internationals combined. Misbah had held the national benchmark with 70 such scores, and Babar's latest contribution brought him level with the former captain.

The innings also took Babar to 144 fifty-plus scores in international cricket overall across the three formats. The latest milestone underlined his consistency as a run-scorer for Pakistan, even though he was unable to turn the start into a larger innings against Sri Lanka.

Madushanka ends Babar's innings after the break

Babar's stay ended in the post-lunch session when Sri Lanka left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka found the outside edge. Madushanka bowled from around the wicket and delivered a full ball around the off-stump line that straightened after pitching. Babar attempted to drive, but the movement took the edge through to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.

The dismissal gave Madushanka his maiden Test wicket, according to the match report. Babar departed for 50, having struck seven fours, and Sri Lanka had removed a set batter before he could build on his half-century.

For Pakistan, the opening partnership and Babar's contribution were important parts of the first day's batting effort. The match also featured Test debuts for Tayyab Arif, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Saqib Khan, while Sri Lanka opted for a pace-heavy attack featuring four fast bowlers.

Babar reached the mark in fewer innings

The comparison with Misbah adds context to the record. Babar reached 70 fifty-plus scores in 164 innings as captain, 25 fewer than the 189 innings Misbah required. Misbah played 151 matches as Pakistan captain, compared with Babar's 153 in the figures cited in the report.

The leading names behind the pair on Pakistan's list include Inzamam-ul-Haq, with 42 fifty-plus scores as captain, followed by Imran Khan on 38 and Javed Miandad on 34. The figures combine performances across the three international formats rather than only Test cricket.

On the wider international list, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting remains at the top with 129 fifty-plus scores as captain. South Africa's Graeme Smith is next with 110, while India's Virat Kohli is third with 99. Babar's 70 places him level with Misbah on Pakistan's national tally, though the overall international benchmark remains some distance away.

Another Pakistan captaincy milestone in sight

Babar is also within reach of Misbah's record for the most international runs scored as Pakistan captain. The figures cited in the match coverage put Babar on 7,079 runs as captain, with Misbah's total standing at 7,392. Babar therefore needs 314 more runs to move beyond his predecessor and claim the national record.

The run tally is separate from the fifty-plus scores record, but both milestones illustrate the statistical comparison between two of Pakistan's prominent modern-era captains. Misbah's record has stood as a reference point for Pakistan leaders, while Babar has continued to add to his numbers across formats.

A milestone on the opening day in Rawalpindi

The first Test against Sri Lanka provided Babar with an opportunity to match Misbah's captaincy record in front of a home crowd. His 50 was not a major individual score in terms of innings length, but it carried significance because it completed the 70-score tally.

Pakistan's first day also included contributions from debutant Tayyab Arif and the other members of a reshaped side. For Babar, attention will now turn to the remainder of the Test and the possibility of closing the gap on Misbah's captaincy run record. His latest half-century has already placed him alongside the former Pakistan captain on one of the country's key leadership statistics.