Sometimes cricketing milestones arrive with a thunderous six. But Babar Azam’s came with a calm single to long-off. The former Pakistan captain moved past Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is during the second T20I against South Africa in Lahore. It wasn’t a glamorous innings, just an unbeaten 11 off 18 balls, but those runs were far more crucial as far as Pakistan cricket is concerned.
Babar Azam goes on top of world T20Is
What made it sweeter for Babar was the timing. He had returned to the side after being left out of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign, a decision that has now been overturned after the team lost the final to India. He was expected to topple the record in the first match of the series but was out for a duck.
Instead, his quiet redemption came two nights later, sealed with a milestone that placed him ahead of Rohit (4,231) and Virat Kohli (4,188). Having said that it is unusual to know that Babar has become the leading run-getter in T20Is without ever getting a single Player of the Match award in a T20 World Cup game.
Babar has been an anchor throughout his career. His average of 39.57 outshines Rohit’s 32.0. However, Babar’s strike rate of 128 may not be ideal in terms of cricket that we see nowadays. However, that was the role he was performing for Pakistan over the years. Now, after getting dropped, he should think to attack more. Rohit Sharma’s strike rate (140.9) is way ahead of Babar’s.
Virat, of course, towers over both in terms of average (48.69), but with India’s senior duo having retired from T20Is post the 2024 World Cup win, the record book now firmly belongs to Babar. His only real competition, if we’re being generous, is Jos Buttler with 3,869 runs.
Most T20I runs in history ft. Babar
| Player | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 123 | 4234 | 122 | 39.57 | 128.77 | 3 | 36 | 73 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 151 | 4231 | 121* | 32.05 | 140.89 | 5 | 32 | 205 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 117 | 4188 | 122* | 48.69 | 137.04 | 1 | 38 | 124 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 132 | 3869 | 101* | 35.49 | 148.97 | 1 | 28 | 172 |
| Paul Stirling (IRE) | 150 | 3710 | 115* | 26.69 | 134.86 | 1 | 24 | 133 |
End of India’s all-format dominance
For years, India owned the top of every run-scoring chart. Sachin Tendulkar led both Tests and ODIs, while Kohli and Rohit traded the T20I crown for the majority of their careers. However, both Rohit and Kohli are retired now, leaving the gap for current players. Babar’s leapfrog ends that era where it was the Indians at the top of the run-scoring charts.
As for the match itself, Pakistan couldn’t have asked for a smoother night. Faheem Ashraf’s four wickets bundled South Africa out for 110, and Saim Ayub’s rollicking 71* ensured the chase felt like a warm-up jog. Ayub, after so long, looked his usual self and played some incredible strokes, including a no-look six over his head. Top stuff.
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