Babar Azam Tops Elite List of Test Batters With Another Milestone

Pakistan's Babar Azam has claimed the top spot in a list of elite Test batting averages for 2026, boasting the highest average among players who have batted in at least ten innings. The 32-year-old batsman leads the chart with a remarkable average of 50.55. Coming in second is England's Harry Brook, who has amassed 558 runs in 12 innings at an average of 46.50.

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim stands third with a Test average of 44.16, while Australia's Travis Head and England's Joe Root round out the top five with averages of 42.09 and 41.75, respectively.

Azam's impressive display was on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where he scored an impressive 50 runs off just 58 balls. His innings included seven boundaries and a crucial 69-run partnership with debutant Mohammad Taha. Unfortunately, Azam was dismissed caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off Dilshan Madushanka.

This performance marked his fifth half-century of the year, but he remains without a century in Test cricket, sitting at 41 innings without scoring a hundred - a streak that began in December 2022.

Moreover, Azam's contributions helped Pakistan reach 281 runs for five in their first innings, with debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha contributing 57 and 51 runs, respectively. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 as the match closed early due to bad light.