• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Babar Azam Dethrones Rohit Sharma To Become The Leading Run Scorer In T20is

Babar Azam dethrones Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-scorer in T20Is

Akshita Patel

Babar Azam achieves historic milestone [Source: @shaheenhive/X.com]Babar Azam achieves historic milestone [Source: @shaheenhive/X.com]

Babar Azam has made history in Lahore. The elegant right-hander has officially overtaken Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is.

Coming into the match, Babar needed just nine runs to surpass Rohit’s tally of 4231 runs. After getting out on a duck in the first T20I against South Africa, pressure was immense on Azam to finally cross the line.

Babar Azam drives his way to history

Regardless, with only 111 runs to chase in the second T20I vs South Africa held at Lahore, Babar Azam was confident and achieved his milestone calmly.

He hit the precious run in typical Babar style. He nudged a graceful cover drive to long-off and ran a single to complete 4232 runs. As soon as Babar crossed the mark, the Lahore crowd erupted, celebrating their home hero’s return to glory.

The 30-year-old now sits at the top of the world with over 4234 T20I runs in 130 matches, surpassing Indian great Rohit Sharma and leaving behind other legends like Virat Kohli (4188) and Jos Buttler (3869).

Most runs in men's T20Is

  • Babar Azam - 4234 (123 innings)
  • Rohit Sharma - 4231 (151 innings)
  • Virat Kohli - 4188 (117 innings)
  • Jos Buttler - 3869 (132 innings)
  • Paul Stirling - 3710 (150 innings)

What makes Babar’s achievement even more impressive is his remarkable consistency. He averages nearly 40 in T20Is, a rare feat in the shortest format of the game.

It’s a moment of redemption for Babar Azam, who faced heavy criticism earlier this year after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

Many questioned his place in the side, his strike rate, and his ability to keep up with the modern, fast-paced T20 game. But Babar answered in the best way possible, that is, with his bat.

Babar Azam, Saim Ayub lead Pakistan to dominant win

Meanwhile, Pakistan secured a 9-wicket dominant win against South Africa in the 2nd T20I held at Lahore. After the Proteas were bundled for 110 in the first inning, the home side cruised in the chase.

Opener Saim Ayub found his rhythm back, scoring 71* off just 38 balls. Sahibzada Farhan also contributed with 28 runs as Pakistan wrapped up the game in 13.1 overs.

With that, Pakistan have levelled the 3-game T20I series.