BABAR Azam scored a career best 114 not out from only 62 balls as Somerset kept themselves in with an outside chance of qualifying for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals by defeating Glamorgan by 66 runs.

The Pakistan international batsman shared a 110-run partnership with debutant Lewis Goldsworthy, who scored 38* and went on to take 2-24 as the hosts were dismissed for 117, with 25 balls of their innings remaining.

Put in to bat at Sophia Gardens, Somerset made an inauspicious start on a slow pitch, reaching 39-2 at the end of the six-over powerplay.

Steve Davies (8) was stumped, before Will Smeed (2) mistimed an intended pull shot, but crucially Babar was dropped twice - first with 10 runs to his name, and later on when on 67.

He put on 52 with Tom Abell (13) in making a 34-ball half-century, and then had sterling support from 19-year-old Goldsworthy, reaching his century in the 19th over.

Babar's latest score saw him reach 5,000 runs in 150 T20 matches - the second fastest player ever to reach that milestone - and marked a return to form after early dismissals in Somerset's last three matches.

Glamorgan's reply was in disarray when they lost David Lloyd and Chris Cooke inside Roelof van der Merwe's (2-15) opening over, leaving them 3-2.

Nick Selman (23) and David Morgan (24) resisted for a while, but 32-2 became 47-5 and then 64-7, with Craig Overton (3-36) and Ollie Sale (2-16) helping to finish the hosts off.

Goldsworthy said afterwards: "I will remember the partnership with Babar Azam for the rest of my life.

"He was so calm talking me throughout the 110-run partnership, and I learned so much from him.

"I was also pleased with my two wickets, and all in all it was a great night."

Abell said: "When we win games in that manner, it's down to a collective effort, but we still recognise the contributions from individuals.

"No-one found that wicket easy to bat on, but Babar was playing a different game to everyone else, ably supported by Lewis, who showed great maturity.

"We know he's incredibly talented, but to perform like that on his debut is testament to him.

"It hasn't been the best competition from our point of view - we've been too inconsistent - but we have seen our young players really step up."

Somerset's victory moves them on to seven points - two points behind second-placed Northants Steelbacks and Birmingham Bears in third.

Northants visit the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, tomorrow (5pm start) for what is a crunch match in the battle to reach the knockout stages.

"We still aim to make the play-offs," added Abell.

"On our day we know we can beat any team.

"One piece of the jigsaw hasn't quite been there in some of our games this year, but we're always learning, and it's still all to play for."