Lahore: Babar Azam has set a new world record by becoming the highest run-scorer in T20 International (T20I) cricket. He achieved this milestone during the second T20I match against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s previous record with just nine runs needed.
Babar Azam has now accumulated 4,234 runs in 122 innings, maintaining an impressive average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 129.14, which includes three centuries and 36 half-centuries. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma concluded his T20I career with 4,231 runs over 151 innings, averaging 32.05 and striking at 140.89, with five centuries and 32 fifties.
Currently, Jos Buttler ranks next in the list of leading run-scorers in T20Is, with a total of 3,869 runs in 132 innings, averaging 35.49 and boasting a strike rate of 148.97, alongside one century and 28 half-centuries.
Top T20I Run-Scorers:
| Players | Runs |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 4,234 |
| Rohit Sharma | 4,231 |
| Virat Kohli | 4,188 |
| Jos Buttler | 3,869 |
| Paul Stirling | 3,710 |
In the same match, Pakistan triumphed by nine wickets against South Africa, successfully chasing a modest target of 111 runs with 41 balls remaining. Saim Ayub emerged as the star of the game, scoring an unbeaten 71 runs off 38 balls, while Babar played a supporting role with 11 runs off 18 balls.
Earlier in the match, bowlers Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf delivered standout performances, taking three and four wickets, respectively, to restrict South Africa to just 110 runs in 19.2 overs. This victory not only leveled the three-match T20I series but also sets up anticipation for the third and final match scheduled for November 1 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
