"Feeling sorry for haters" - Fans erupt as Pakistan's Babar Azam slams fantastic ton, shatters multiple records in Test series opener vs NZ

Pakistan captain Babar Azam starred with the bat on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday, December 26.

Coming into bat at No.4 when Pakistan were 19/2, Babar slammed an impressive century, his ninth in Test cricket. The right-handed batter has been in scintillating form this year. He is currently the leading run-getter in Test cricket in 2022.

The Pakistani side did not have an ideal start after deciding to bat first. However, Babar once again steadied the ship for his side with yet another gutsy knock. He crossed the 100-run mark with a glorious six off Michael Bracewell in the 53rd over of the first innings.

It is worth mentioning that Babar would have had to walk back for 12, but got a big reprieve as Darryl Mitchell dropped a regulation catch at slip. The hosts' skipper made the most of the chance, hitting a remarkable ton.

A number of fans and cricketers took to social media, praising the player for his wonderful batting exploits. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Class apart, Kaptaan @babarazam258!

Enjoyed every bit of it.

#PAKvNZ

Babar King Azam. Loved watching your century. Keep shining, keep showing your class skipper. @babarazam258

Only name on my Timeline isssssss,
Babar Azam🥰
Babar Azam🥰
Babar Azam🥰
Babar Azam!!! We are Proud of you❤️😍
#PakvsNZ

Chairman changed , selector changed , team changed , weather changed , what hasn’t changed is @babarazam258 being mr consistent, the only one scoring for 🇵🇰 and being the absolute best , Mashallah ! May you always keep shinning , my captain #PakvsNZ #soochnabhimanahai #BabarAzam https://t.co/XwCeUZw40U

The sukoon on his face!! 😍😍😍😍

@babarazam258

Babar Azam as batter is a blessing for Pakistan ❤️

#cricket #PAKvNZ #NZvPAK https://t.co/3WoAPBUiY2

Now that's a classic century .

#PakvsNz #BabarAzam𓃵

Babar azam that's it that's the tweet 🔥❤️

Jahan matter baray hotay hain wahan King akele kharay hotay hain! King Babar 👑 #PAKvNZ

#BabarAzam𓃵 https://t.co/Vl7G7RhinK

If you still have words to criticize Babar Azam ,you need to see a good doctor

Feeling sorry for haters 🤭🫡 #BabarAzam𓃵 https://t.co/ZmXt387tKw

@BLACKCAPS @skysportnz @SENZ_Radio Babar Azam once again proved himself the best player in the world by completing a century in a difficult time, Weldon Babar❤

#BabarAzam𓃵 #PAKvNZ

@TheRealPCB @babarazam258 Babar shows his teammates how to bat. Superb innings skipper

People say’s Hope sustains life
I heard @babarazam258 sustains Pakistan’s cricket…!
What classy hundred 💯from 👑#BabarAzam𓃵
#NZvPAK
#SAVER https://t.co/YkNWCGtoOT

@saleemkhaliq What a timely 💯 by Babar Azam. Technically, Aesthetically, Mentally, best batsman in the world.

#PAKvNZ

Notably, Babar Azam has been the top performer with the bat for Pakistan in Test cricket this year. While his side were whitewashed by England in their three-match Test series earlier this month, he was able to make a significant impact with the bat.

With 348 runs in three Tests at an average of 58.00, Babar was the leading run-getter for Pakistan in the series. The star batter finished with a century and three fifties against Ben Stokes and Co.

Babar Azam eclipses Ricky Ponting to become the first captain to have 25 fifty-plus scores in a calendar year

With his knock against New Zealand, Babar Azam broke former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's record of scoring the most fifty-plus scores in a calendar year in international cricket.

Ponting crossed the 50-run mark on 24 occasions in 2005. Babar has surpassed the Aussie batter by doing it 25 times in 2022. The Men in Green skipper has also scored the most runs in international cricket this year.

He became the first Pakistani player to score over 2500 runs in a calendar year, breaking Mohammad Yousuf's record. While he has come under the scanner for his captaincy, Babar has stamped his class as a batter across formats with his consistent performances.

RECORD: Babar Azam becomes leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2022, he surpasses Joe Root to also become the first player to 1100 runs. He's already the highest run-scorer in international cricket this year.

This is Babar Azam's world and we're just living in it 🐐 #PAKvNZ

He will be aiming to silence his critics by leading his team to a series win at home against the Tim Southee-led New Zealand side.