Babar Azam Surpasses Virat Kohli to Become All-Time Leading Run-Scorer in T20Is

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PAK vs USA, T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam on Thursday (June 6) surpassed star India batter Virat Kohli to become the all-time leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals (T20Is).

The milestone was achieved during Pakistan's opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against the USA, held at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

A Record-Breaking Feat

Entering the match just 16 runs shy of Kohli's record, Babar managed to clinch the title in his 120th T20I game, two more than it took Kohli to set the previous record. This achievement adds a significant feather to Babar's cap as he continues to build his legacy in international cricket.

Batting Collapse For Pakistan

Despite Pakistan's top-order struggles against a determined USA bowling attack on a seemingly batting-friendly pitch, Babar's steady innings provided much-needed stability. The top order, including Rizwan (9 off 8), Usman Khan (3 off 3), Fakhar Zaman (11 off 7), and Azam Khan (0), fell quickly, leaving the team in a precarious position.

Shadab Khan contributed significantly with a quick 40 off 25 balls, but it was Babar who held the innings together and shared a stand of 72 runs in 50 deliveries. Scoring 44 off 43 balls at a strike rate of 102.33, Babar emerged as the top-scorer for Pakistan in this crucial match.

But the exceedingly talented batter remained silent for a long time early in the innings as he could only post 7 of the first 22 balls. Invited to bat first, Pakistan could only muster 159 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Babar Azam's Powerplay Performance in T20 World Cups

Babar's performance during powerplays in T20 World Cups has been a subject of analysis. Here are his stats in powerplay overs across T20 World Cups:

• Innings: 14
• Runs: 166
• Balls: 191
• Outs: 5
• Strike Rate: 86.91
• 4s/6s: 20/0

Most Runs in T20I History

With his latest feat, Babar Azam now sits atop the list of highest run-scorers in T20I history, showcasing his consistency and prowess in the format. Here's a look at the top five:

Babar Azam's Leadership and Responsibility in T20 World Cup

The 2024 T20 World Cup marks a new chapter for Babar Azam, who was appointed as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of the tournament. This new role added to his responsibilities, making his record-breaking performance even more commendable. As a leader, Babar's performance is pivotal in inspiring confidence and stability within the squad.