Almost two years after his T20I retirement, Virat Kohli’s record of most fifties in the format has been toppled. The former India captain had struck his 38th and last half-century in his last T20I, the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
And isn’t it ironic that Kohli’s record was broken by Babar Azam, a man several Pakistan cricket enthusiasts compared him to? The 31-year-old had levelled Kohli at 38 half-centuries in November 2025. Babar’s taken 3 months more to register another fifty and go past the Indian legend.
In the Pakistan vs Australia 3rd T20I, Babar scored a 36-ball fifty. Batting in his new position, number four, he anchored the Men in Green to 207. Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan were the aggressors, with the latter smashing 46 from 19. Babar’s job was to ensure Pakistan didn’t lose quick wickets. He aced the role.
A strike rate of 138.89 doesn’t seem that impressive in the modern age of T20I cricket. But Babar’s job was to keep things together. Ensure that Pakistan doesn’t settle for a below-average score while going all guns blazing. It’s safe to assume he’ll have the same role in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Most fifties in T20Is
| Batter | Team | Span | Innings | Runs | 50s | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 2016-2026 | 132 | 4505 | 39 | 122 | 39.51 | 128.38 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2010-2024 | 117 | 4188 | 38 | 122* | 48.69 | 137.04 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 2007-2024 | 151 | 4231 | 32 | 121* | 32.05 | 140.89 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 2015-2024 | 93 | 3414 | 30 | 104* | 47.41 | 125.37 |
| David Warner | Australia | 2009-2024 | 110 | 3277 | 28 | 100* | 33.43 | 142.47 |
