Babar Azam surpassed Rohit Sharma’s record for the most runs in men’s T20 cricket as Pakistan secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa on Friday, leveling the series 1-1. The Pakistan captain, requiring nine runs to eclipse Sharma’s 4,231, achieved the milestone with a composed single off spinner Donovan Ferreira, finishing unbeaten on 11. His career total now stands at 4,234 runs in 130 T20 matches, including 36 half-centuries and three centuries.

Pakistan’s dominance began with the ball, as fast bowlers Salman Mirza (4-20) and Faheem Ashraf (3-18) dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup, restricting them to 110 all out. Saim Ayub then led the chase with an unbeaten 71 from 38 deliveries, guiding Pakistan to 112-1 in just 13.1 overs. The decisive third T20 will be played on Saturday in Centurion.

Babar’s return to the T20 side after nearly a year marked a significant moment. Having missed the Asia Cup—where Pakistan suffered a defeat to India—and enduring a two-ball duck in the series opener, his inclusion was strategic. His record-breaking knock, though brief, reaffirmed his status as one of the format’s most consistent performers, despite ongoing scrutiny of his strike rate of 129.

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Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals after captaining India to the 2024 World Cup title, accumulated 4,231 runs across 159 matches. Babar, in fewer appearances, has now claimed the top position in the all-time run-scoring charts. The milestone underscores Pakistan’s renewed momentum under his leadership.

With the series hanging in the balance, Saturday’s finale presents an opportunity for Pakistan to clinch victory on home soil. South Africa, reeling from consecutive batting failures, faces mounting pressure to regroup. For Babar Azam, the record is not merely a personal triumph but a statement of resilience and enduring excellence in the shortest format.

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