Babar Azam, the former Pakistan captain, has achieved a significant cricketing milestone by becoming the highest run-scorer in T20 International history. He reached this record during the second T20I against South Africa, which took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Azam only needed nine runs to surpass Rohit Sharma’s previous world record and achieved this feat comfortably.
The prolific batsman has now accumulated 4232 runs in his T20I career over 122 innings. His batting average stands at an impressive nearly 40, complemented by a strike rate of 129.14. Azam’s T20I record includes three centuries and 36 half-centuries. This overtakes Rohit Sharma’s record of 4231 runs, which he scored in 151 innings at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89, including five tons and 32 fifties.
The list of top run-scorers in T20Is sees Jos Buttler of England in third place with 3869 runs from 132 innings. Buttler averages 35.49, strikes at 148.97, and has recorded one century and 28 fifties. The top five run-scorers are now led by Azam, followed by Sharma, Virat Kohli, Buttler, and Paul Stirling.
On the field, Pakistan secured a dominant nine-wicket victory in the second T20I. They chased down the target of 111 runs with ease, finishing with 41 balls left. Saim Ayub was the standout performer with an unbeaten 71 off 38 balls, while Babar Azam contributed 11 runs. The bowlers, Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf, were exceptional, taking three and four wickets respectively to bundle out South Africa for just 110. This victory levels the three-match series, with the final encounter set for November 1st at the Gaddafi Stadium.
