Babar Azam once again showed up to his full potential at the Cooper Associates County Ground, but it wasn’t quite enough to prevent Somerset falling to a last gasp defeat.
England’s Liam Dawson stuck an unbeaten 47 to guide Hampshire to an improbable four-wicket Vitality Blast victory with three balls to spare in the first T20 match under the new floodlights.
Pakistan batsman set up a great platform for Somerset on his home debut with an extraordinary innings of 95 from 61 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, in a total of 172 for three after losing the toss.
Chasing 173, Hampshire struggle to 96 for four after 14 overs before a late onslaught from Dawson and James Fuller pulled off an unlikely victory.
SIXES!! Lovely from Babar Azam! Somerset 120/2 from 15 and Babar moves to 64* from 44 balls
LIVE STREAM -> https://t.co/dF6GhNA901#SOMvHAM#WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/AuYxPb4XgM
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) July 26, 2019
