Babar Azam has officially become the leading run-scorer in T20 International cricket, breaking the record previously held by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma. This historic moment occurred during the second T20I match against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Azam needed just a handful of runs, nine to be precise, to surpass Sharma’s tally and he accomplished this milestone efficiently.
Azam’s stellar T20I career now boasts 4232 runs from 122 innings. He consistently performs at a high level, maintaining an average close to 40 and a strike rate of 129.14. His record includes three centuries and 36 half-centuries. Rohit Sharma’s T20I career concluded with 4231 runs from 151 innings, an average of 32.05, and a powerful strike rate of 140.89, featuring five centuries and 32 fifties.
Jos Buttler ranks third in the list of highest T20I run-getters with 3869 runs across 132 innings. His impressive statistics include an average of 35.49, a strike rate of 148.97, a century, and 28 half-centuries. The list of top T20I run-scorers now features Babar Azam at the very top.
In the match itself, Pakistan achieved a comprehensive nine-wicket victory against South Africa. They successfully chased a target of 111 runs with 41 balls remaining. The exceptional batting performance was led by Saim Ayub, who remained not out on 71 runs from 38 balls, with Babar Azam adding 11 runs. The Pakistani bowlers, Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf, were instrumental in restricting the opposition to just 110 runs, taking three and four wickets respectively. This win levels the three-match series, setting up a crucial decider on November 1st at the Gaddafi Stadium.