Babar Azam overtook Virat Kohli as the highest run-scorer in men's T20Is during Pakistan's opening T20 World Cup fixture against USA in Dallas, Texas today (June 6).
A shaky start for Pakistan and Babar
Pakistan were put into bat after USA won the toss. On a slowish surface, the Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan combination, back at the top of the order for Pakistan, didn’t have the best of starts. Rizwan returned for nine off eight balls owing to a spectacular one-handed grab in just the second over of the day to land his team in early trouble. Pakistan kept on losing wickets regularly and were reduced to 26-3 in 4.4 overs.
Babar, Shadab steady the ship
Babar struggled to keep going as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. He was 10 off 25 before hitting his first four of the innings in the last ball of the 10th over. With a 25-ball 40, including three sixes and a four, Shadab Khan upped the ante for Pakistan as the duo stitched a 50-ball 72-run stand for the fourth wicket. Pakistan were 98-4 when Shadab returned to the pavilion. Babar, gaining momentum slowly, threatened to go big but fell for a 43-ball 44, a knock comprising two sixes and three fours.
Babar goes past Kohli in T20Is
During his nearly run-a-ball stay, the Pakistan white-ball captain overtook Virat Kohli to become the leading run-scorer (4,067) in T20I cricket. Babar crossed Kohli in his 113th innings – three more than what Kohli is currently on. His runs have come at a strike-rate of 129.77 and an average of 41.08, in contrast to Kohli’s strike rate and average of 137.95 and 51.11 respectively.
Kohli, who now sits at second with 4,038 runs, is closely trailed by India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who has 4,026 runs to his tally.
Leading the list 🔝@babarazam258 is the all-time top run-getter in T20Is 👏#T20WorldCup | #USAvPAK | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/DoFs54cWZa
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 6, 2024
Earlier in Pakistan’s T20I series against England leading up to the tournament, Babar became the only captain to score 2,500 runs in T20Is.
He is also the most successful skipper in the format with 46 wins from 81 matches.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
