In addition to representing Pakistan, Babar Azam was attempting to make history when he batted in the second T20 International match against South Africa on October 31, 2025. Babar broke yet another record by becoming the highest run scorer in men’s T20 Internationals while leading Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket victory.
The Moment That Mattered:
Pakistan won in just 13.1 overs after easily chasing South Africa’s modest 111 runs target. It took Babar Azam just nine runs to surpass Rohit Sharma’s 4,231 record. He stayed undefeated on 11 from 18 balls after a sharp drive for a single put him over the boundary and helped lead Pakistan home.
That knock moved his career T20I aggregate to approximately 4,234 runs in 123-124 innings. In doing so, Babar became the first male cricketer in T20I history to hold that distinction.
The Numbers Behind the Feat:
- At the time of the record, there were approximately 4,234 runs in 123 innings.
- Rohit Sharma previously set the record with 4,231 runs in 151 innings.
- Babar took 123 innings to reach the milestone, while Rohit took 151.
- By then, he had amassed about 37 fifties and three hundreds in T20Is.
- In T20Is, he had a strike rate of about 129.
Why It Matters:
The achievement demonstrates Babar’s unwavering perseverance, consistency, and talent for delivering when it counts most. Babar has built his legacy through grace, accuracy, and consistent run-scoring, which has earned him the top spot on the ranking. This is in contrast to many T20 power hitters who rely on explosive outbursts of aggression. Now that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have left the format, Babar is the standard for batting prowess in T20 Internationals.
What Happened in the Match:
In this second T20I:
- South Africa was dismissed for 110.
- Pakistan cruised to 112 for 1 in 13.1 overs.
- Babar entered when the chase was already underway and calmly reached the milestone.
- The win leveled the 3-match series at 1-1.
Looking Ahead:
With Babar Azam at the top, attention is now on how far he can push the record and how he will strike a balance between individual goals and team accomplishments. Babar has the stage and the motivation to keep extending his lead as the series finale and additional T20 competitions approach.
Final Word:
Babar Azam made a lasting impression on cricket history by surpassing 4,231 T20I runs to become the format’s top scorer. This is a significant milestone in Babar’s legacy and not just another number for Pakistan or him.
Babar Azam achieved the milestone on 31 October 2025, during the second T20I against South Africa in Lahore, where Pakistan won by nine wickets.
He surpassed India’s Rohit Sharma, who previously held the record with 4,231 T20I runs.
After the match, Babar’s tally reached approximately 4,302 runs in 124 innings, including 3 centuries and 37 fifties at a strike rate of around 129.