Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, has once again made headlines by achieving two significant milestones in the world of T20 cricket. During the second T20I against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Friday, December 13, Babar etched his name into the history books. He surpassed cricketing legends and set new records that have added to his already impressive career.
Babar Azam Breaks Records in T20 Cricket
Babar achieved two major feats in this match:
- Fastest to 11,000 T20 Runs
Babar Azam became the fastest batter to score 11,000 runs in T20 cricket, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle. This achievement is a testament to his consistency and skill in the shortest format of the game. - Second-Fastest Pakistani to 14,000 International Runs
Babar also became the second-fastest Pakistani player to reach 14,000 international runs, following Mohammad Yousuf. This remarkable achievement places Babar among the top international run-scorers.
A Strong Comeback After the First T20I
In the first T20I against South Africa, Babar Azam was dismissed for a duck, scoring just 4 runs off 4 balls. However, in the second match, he showed his class and resilience. Coming in to bat at one-down, Babar played a brilliant innings of 31 runs off 20 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Although he fell in the 12th over while attempting to accelerate, his performance was enough to make history and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s total.
Babar Azam’s Record-Breaking Milestones
Fastest to 11,000 T20 Runs
Babar Azam’s achievement of becoming the fastest to 11,000 T20 runs is an impressive feat. Here’s a table showing the players who have reached 11,000 T20 runs, with Babar leading the pack:
| Player | Innings |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 298 |
| Chris Gayle | 314 |
| David Warner | 330 |
| Virat Kohli | 337 |
| Aaron Finch | 363 |
| Jos Buttler | 376 |
| James Vince | 386 |
| Alex Hales | 390 |
| Rohit Sharma | 408 |
Fastest to 14,000 International Runs
Babar also became the second-fastest player in Pakistan’s history to reach 14,000 international runs. Below is the list of players who have achieved this milestone, with Babar sitting just behind Mohammad Yousuf:
| Player | Innings |
|---|---|
| Viv Richards | 309 |
| Hashim Amla | 309 |
| Virat Kohli | 313 |
| Matthew Hayden | 319 |
| Joe Root | 327 |
| Steven Smith | 328 |
| Brian Lara | 331 |
| Kane Williamson | 332 |
| Mohammad Yousuf | 337 |
| Babar Azam | 338 |
| David Warner | 339 |
Most International Runs for Pakistan
Babar Azam has now joined the list of all-time greats in Pakistan cricket. Here’s a look at the players with the most international runs for Pakistan, with Babar quickly climbing the ranks:
| Player | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | 20,541 | 547 |
| Younis Khan | 17,790 | 491 |
| Mohammad Yousuf | 17,134 | 426 |
| Javed Miandad | 16,213 | 407 |
| Babar Azam | 14,029 | 338 |
Babar Azam: A Consistent Performer Across Formats
Babar Azam’s remarkable ability to perform consistently across formats (T20, ODI, and Test) has made him one of Pakistan’s finest batters. Despite his critics who often label him as more of a traditional batter, his success in T20 cricket continues to prove them wrong. His ability to adapt to all formats and play at the highest level is what sets him apart.
These achievements further cement Babar’s place among cricket’s all-time greats. His consistent performances have made him a key figure in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape and a source of pride for millions of fans.
Looking Ahead More Records to Break
With many years of cricket still ahead of him, Babar Azam is well-positioned to break even more records. His current form and ability to deliver when needed make him one of the most promising players in the world. As he continues to lead Pakistan in various formats, fans can expect him to add more milestones to his already impressive career.
Wrapping Up
Babar Azam’s record-breaking achievements in T20 cricket have added another chapter to his successful career. From becoming the fastest to 11,000 T20 runs to reaching 14,000 international runs, Babar has proven himself to be a true cricketing superstar. His consistency, adaptability, and leadership make him one of the best batters in the world today. As he continues to break records, Babar Azam’s legacy as one of Pakistan’s finest cricketers is sure to grow.
