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Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohli's record, becomes fastest to score 2000 runs in T20Is

Babar Azam took 52 innings to reach the landmark, four less than Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

By Amruth Kalidas | Apr 27, 2021 | 2 Min Read

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has once again managed to break the records of Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Babar became the fastest cricket player to achieve the milestone of 2000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals. Virat previously held this record as he scored 2000 T20I runs in 56 innings but Azam accomplished the feat in just 52 innings. Babar achieved this feat in the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

Australian skipper Aaron Finch (62 innings) and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (66 innings) are at third and fourth place respectively. While Kohli is still leading the charts of most runs in T20I cricket, Babar is at 11th spot having scored 2035 runs in the shortest format of the game. The Indian skipper has scored 3,159 T20I runs at an average of 52.65.

Earlier this week, Kohli remained at the fifth spot but Babar advanced one place to reach the second position in the ICC T20I player rankings released on Wednesday. In the tour earlier, Babar also became the No.1 ranked ODI player, ending Kohli’s 1000-day reign at the top of the ICC rankings.

Babar’s superlative form had helped him replace Kohli at the top of the men’s ODI player rankings last week and this week’s T20I update saw him make a strong 47-point surge to overtake Finch in the T20I rankings.

PAKISTAN SEAL SERIES IN GRAND STYLE

Pakistan won the first T20 International by 11 runs, while Zimbabwe won the second match by 19 runs. This was Zimbabwe’s first win against Pakistan in 15 Twenty20 International contests

With Babar Azam winning the toss and inviting the hosts to bat first, the third T20 International got underway. Pakistan scored a comprehensive total of 165 runs in their first innings, with Mohammad Rizwan scoring 91 runs in just 60 balls. He was well-supported by the skipper, who contributed 52 runs to the total.

Chasing 166, the hosts put up a decent fight as the opening batter Wesley Madhevere scored 59 runs. Hasan Ali shined with the ball for Pakistan as he took four wickets to ensure a 24-run victory to Pakistan.