Pakistan’s star batsman Babar Azam created history during the second T20 match of the three-match series against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday (October 30). The right-handed batsman became the highest run-scorer in men’s T20 International, surpassing former Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Pakistan leveled the series with a nine-wicket win over South Africa. Babar, who scored zero in the first match, played with a cautious approach and the host team was close to victory. The batsman scored an unbeaten 11 runs in 18 balls, while Saim Ayub secured the victory by playing a brilliant inning of 71 runs in 38 balls.
Babar Azam became the highest run scorer in T-20 by surpassing Rohit Sharma.
Babar Azam became the highest run scorer in this format, leaving behind Rohit Sharma. He has scored 4,234 runs in 130 matches at an average of 39.57 and a strike rate of 128.77, which includes three centuries, 36 fifties and a highest score of 122.
However, Babar has the lowest strike rate among the top six run-scorers in T20Is and is one of only two below 130 in the top 10, the other being fellow Pakistani opener Mohammad Rizwan.
Most runs in T20I cricket:
| player | it goes | Matchbox | average | strike rate | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 4324 | 130 | 39.57 | 128.77 | 3/36 |
| Rohit Sharma | 4231 | 159 | 32.05 | 140.89 | 5/32 |
| Virat Kohli | 4188 | 125 | 48.69 | 137.04 | 1/38 |
| jos buttler | 3869 | 144 | 35.49 | 148.97 | 1/28 |
| paul sterling | 3710 | 153 | 26.69 | 134.86 | 1/24 |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retire from T20I after T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma scored 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 31.34 and a strike rate of 140.90, which included five centuries and 32 fifties. Virat Kohli scored 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69, which included one century and 38 half-centuries. Both retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has scored 3,869 runs at an average of 35.49 and a strike rate of 148.97, which includes one century and 28 half-centuries.
Irish batsman Paul Stirling is at fifth place in the list of highest run scorers. He has scored 3,710 runs in 153 matches at an average of 26.69 and a strike rate of 134.86, which includes one century and 24 half-centuries.
There is still a lot of cricket left in Babar Azam – Wasim Akram
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has supported Babar Azam amid criticism over his performance. Akram said that fans and critics should support Babar and said that he can continue to achieve great achievements for the national team with proper support.
Akram told Cricket Pakistan, “Babar still has a lot of cricket left in him and he can achieve a lot for Pakistan. We all need to support him.”
Babar Azam’s recent form has been far from his best, with the star batsman struggling with inconsistency across formats. After missing several T20I series, including the Asia Cup, he returned for the ongoing three-match series against South Africa.
Before the T20I series, he struggled in the Test series against South Africa, where he could only score 131 runs at an average of 32.75.
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