Babar Azam beats Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill for WTC milestone during PAK vs SA 1st Test, becomes first Asian batter to…

Babar Azam went past Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill after the former Pakistan captain became the first batter from Asia to complete 300 runs in the history of World Test Championship. The incident took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday. Coming into bat after the fall of Shan Masood, Babar needed just three runs to reach the 300-run mark.

The stylish right-hander reached the landmark when an inside edge off the bowling of South African spinner Senuran Muthusamy went to the boundary in the 49th over of the Pakistan innings. In the list, Babar went past current Indian captain Gill (2826), Rishabh Pant (2731), Rohit Sharma (2716) and Virat Kohli (2617) among the Asians.

England's Joe Root leads the chart with 6000 runs in the history of WTC, followed by Australia's Steve Smith (4278). Despite the milestone, Babar couldn't last long. Walking into bat at 163/2, Babar started well with three boundaries in his first 14 balls. But the right was trapped in front by Simon Hamer for 23, thus continuing his torrid form at home.

At home, Babar's last six scores in Tests read 23, 31, 1, 5, 8 and 5. The last time Babar scored a fifty at home was in 2022.

Imam-ul-Haq misses hundred by 7 runs

Meanwhile, opener Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 93 just before Tea as Pakistan looked for a 300-plus total on the opening day. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy removed Haq, caught at short-leg by Tony de Zorzi, after a 236-minute knock that included seven fours and a six.

Earlier spinner Prenelan Subrayen trapped Shan Masood lbw for 76, including nine fours and a six, to end a 161-run stand with Haq. South Africa could have been in a better position had they not dropped Masood on 61 and Haq on 72 with Subrayen the unlucky bowler on both occasions.

With the Gaddafi Stadium pitch likely to turn, Masood opted to bat after winning the toss and named specialist spin duo Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the team Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique leg before to pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada off the third ball of the day.

South African captain Aiden Markram turned to his spinners in the sixth over and by lunch had used all three -- Subrayen, Harmer and Muthusamy.