Babar Azam has officially etched his name in the history books, becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in men’s T20 International cricket. The Pakistani maestro surpassed India’s Rohit Sharma in a dominant team performance that saw Pakistan level their series against South Africa with a commanding nine-wicket victory.
Needing just nine runs to overtake Rohit Sharma’s previous record of 4,231 runs, Babar Azam achieved the milestone with a single off South African spinner Donovan Ferreira during the second T20I in Lahore . He finished the chase unbeaten on 11 runs from 18 balls, taking his career tally to 4,234 runs . This achievement cements his status as one of the most prolific batters in the shortest format of the game.
While Babar’s record was the headline, the match was a complete team effort from Pakistan. Their bowlers first restricted a formidable South African side to a meagre total of 110 runs. The disciplined attack, led by the pace duo, made scoring incredibly difficult for the visitors.
The chase was then expertly handled by the young gun, Saim Ayub. The 22-year-old was in scintillating form, smashing an unbeaten 71 off just 38 balls to guide Pakistan home with ease and 41 balls to spare . His explosive innings, coupled with Babar’s steady presence at the other end, showcased a perfect blend of youth and experience.
Babar Azam’s journey to the top of the T20I run charts has been built on a foundation of elegant stroke-play and remarkable consistency. With an average of nearly 40, his ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has been his hallmark . This record is a testament to his skill, dedication, and longevity at the highest level of the game.
His achievement is even more significant as he now holds the baton from Rohit Sharma, a player widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 batters of all time. Babar’s name now sits alone at the pinnacle of the men’s T20I run-scoring list.
This emphatic victory has leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider. The confidence gained from such a comprehensive win, especially with a young talent like Saim Ayub firing on all cylinders, will be a huge boost for the team. They will look to carry this momentum forward and secure the series win against a strong South African outfit.
| Rank | Player | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Babar Azam (PAK) | 4,234+ | 39.57 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma (IND) | 4,231 | 31.10 |
| 3 | Paul Stirling (IRE) | 4,111+ | 34.84 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli (IND) | 4,037 | 51.75 |
| 5 | David Warner (AUS) | 2,894 | 32.88 |
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