Babar Azam's journey with the Somerset so far

Following a 3-0 win against Australia in UAE last year, Babar Azam scored 163 runs crossing Aaron Finch to become no. 1 T20 batsman for the 3rd time in his career. He defied the talks of him not suitable for the shorter format by scoring with a good strike rate and average at the top of the order. His game improved, so did his stroke play. And we've been seeing the best of him in the LOIs since then.

For his superb performance in the T20 format, he was signed by the franchise for which his countrymen Azhar Ali plays in the red-ball format, Somerset.

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, after signing up Babar Azam, said: “To be able to sign a player of the calibre of Babar Azam is tremendously exciting. He is a proven performer at the very highest level and that is highlighted by the fact that he is the top rated international T20 batsman in the world.

“Obviously, everyone wants to sign a world class performer, but we feel that continuity of selection is equally important. For us it is about securing the services of someone as talented as Babar Azam for more than just a handful of fixtures.”

Match 1:

Tom Banton stole the show in Somerset's 1st match with a blistering 64 and Babar contributed 35 in his 1st outing with 4 fours. Somerset won that match by 8 wickets in the end.

Match 2:

In his 2nd match vs Kent, Babar Azam was cleaned up by Hardus Vijloen, a super dooper delivery pitch on off and coming back viciously. Babar scored 7 runs in that match.

Match 3:

Babar showed a masterclass and remained not out missing a well-deserved century. Batting first against Hampshire, Tom Banton got out in the 2nd over of the match. Babar Azam, then, took the responsibility beautifully and olayed a well-crafted innings of 95 not out. Babar, in addition to some amazing shots for fours, hit 3 sixes two of which came against Chris Morris. Somerset lost that match by 4 wickets.

Match 4:

Another match, another good performance in losing cause. Tom Banton and Babar Azam built a 96 run partnership first up chasing 185. Apart from Tom Banton and Babar Azam, nobody stood up with the bat which saw Somerset losing by 13 runs in the end.

Match 5:

This win against Surrey was more because of James Hildreth and Edward Byrom's in unbeaten 80 run partnership chasing 204 after Tom Banton scored a fifty. Babar Azam played a good knock of 43 runs in that match.

Match 6:

Somerset lost this by 35 runs. Bowlers conceded many runs in the last overs which saw Somerset having to chase 216. Babar Azam got bowled by Afghanistan's spinner Mujeeb Zadran for 4.

Match 7:

A huge 114 win for Somerset as they bowled out Essex for 111 chasing 226. Babar Azam contributed with a 50 at the top which provided a good start for Abell and Byrom to finish well.

Match 8:

The moment finally came. Babar missed his century against Hampshire in their last encounter but not this time. This time he was on 96* with a ball to go, unlike previous match vs Hampshire where he was 95* at the end of the innings. He received a low full toss which he deposited in the midwicket stand finishing on an amazing 102*. He olayed some beautiful and effortless shots in this match including a flick for six to Morris and an upper cut towards offside. Somerset won that match by 63 runs (D/L) method.

Match 9:

This time his partner, Tom Banton was the one to get a hundred. That hundred was well backed up by Tom Abell's knock of 63. Babar Azam got runout when he challenged Muhammad Nabi's arm at third man and ran for a second only to find himself short of the crease. Babar scored 9 runs. Somerset won that match by 55 runs.

As the match 10 was rained out, we wait for Babar Azam to carry his form into the 4 day County Championship match which starts today.