Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam stands on the cusp of cricket history as he returns to T20I action after nearly a year, needing just nine runs to surpass India’s Rohit Sharma and become the all-time leading run-scorer in men’s T20 International cricket. The milestone opportunity arrives during Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning October 28 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Historic Milestone Within Touching Distance
Babar Azam needs just nine runs to surpass Rohit Sharma and become the outright leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals a landmark that would crown him as the most prolific batter in the shortest format. Currently, Rohit Sharma leads the T20I run charts with 4,231 runs from 159 matches at an average of 32.05, while Babar has accumulated 4,223 runs in just 128 games at a remarkable average of 39.83.
The statistical efficiency of Babar’s achievement stands out dramatically—he will reach this milestone in 31 fewer matches than Rohit required, underscoring his extraordinary consistency and run-scoring ability. If Babar overtakes Rohit during the series, he will become the fastest player to achieve the feat in fewer matches than both Indian legends, demonstrating his dominance in the format.
Second Major Record Just One Innings Away
The 31-year-old right-hander is also just one 50-plus score away from holding the record for the most 50-plus scores in T20Is. At present, he is tied with Virat Kohli with 39 scores of 50 or more (36 fifties and 3 hundreds). His consistency at the top of the order has been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting across formats, and one more fluent knock will place him alone in the record books.
This second potential milestone highlights Babar’s remarkable consistency throughout his T20I career. His ability to consistently convert starts into substantial scores sets him apart from contemporaries and establishes his credentials as one of the format’s most reliable batsmen.
Return After Nearly One Year Absence
Babar’s return marks the end of nearly a year away from T20Is—his last appearance came in December 2024 during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa. Since then, Pakistan’s batting lineup has gone through a period of transition with mixed results, but his presence will add much-needed experience and stability.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson had previously stated that Babar “has been asked to improve in some areas, particularly against spin and in terms of his strike-rate,” acknowledging concerns about his T20I credentials. His recall suggests either sufficient improvement or pragmatic recognition that Pakistan needs his experience and reliability ahead of the T20 World Cup.
New Role at Number Three
Babar is set to make his T20I return at number three, replacing Fakhar Zaman in the batting lineup. This represents a significant positional change for the former Pakistan captain, who has opened the batting in 87 of his 121 innings throughout his T20I career.
Head coach Mike Hesson explained the strategic thinking: “It’s a great opportunity to get Babar back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at three, so it’s a role that I’m very confident he’ll be able to do well in. His experience, temperament, and ability to control the innings make him a natural fit for this position.”
Statistical Dominance and Career Context
Babar’s T20I statistics reflect sustained excellence that few players have matched. His average of 39.83 stands significantly higher than most prolific T20I run-scorers, demonstrating his ability to combine consistency with longevity. With 36 half-centuries and 3 hundreds, he has shown the ability to play match-winning innings while maintaining remarkable consistency.
His strike rate of 129.22 has been a focal point of discussion, particularly regarding modern T20I requirements for accelerated scoring. However, his average and conversion rate compensate for any perceived strike rate deficiencies, making him one of the format’s most valuable batsmen.
Comparison with Rohit Sharma’s Achievement
While this milestone will etch Babar’s name atop the T20I run charts, it also symbolizes the story of two cricketing greats who have defined an era. Rohit Sharma’s flair and longevity have been unmatched, accumulating runs across 159 T20I matches before retiring from the format after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024.
Babar’s journey represents precision, patience, and consistency. Both players have demonstrated different approaches to T20I batting—Rohit’s power-hitting versus Babar’s classical elegance—yet both achieved extraordinary run accumulation through sustained excellence over extended periods.
Context of Recall After Asia Cup Omission
Babar, who last featured in a T20I series against South Africa in December 2024, was left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad as selectors turned their attention to younger players. However, Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the continental tournament, including losses in three encounters with India and the final, prompted a rethink.
Pakistan’s batting struggles during the Asia Cup, where they posted modest totals despite reaching the final, exposed middle-order vulnerabilities that Babar’s return aims to address. His experience and ability to anchor innings become valuable assets for Pakistan’s upcoming assignments.
South Africa Series Significance
Pakistan prepares to face South Africa, runners-up at the 2024 T20 World Cup, in a three-match series beginning in Rawalpindi before moving to Lahore for the final two encounters. The series provides Babar with immediate opportunities to claim these records while helping Pakistan build combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup.
As Pakistan takes on South Africa in the T20I series opener, there is an added subplot of Babar Azam entering the record books. But fans will be hoping he also rediscovers his form to once again lead the team’s charge in upcoming events, particularly the T20 World Cup in early 2026.
Additional Career Milestones
Beyond the immediate T20I records, Babar continues accumulating achievements across formats. In December 2024, he became the fastest player to reach 11,000 T20 runs across all cricket, surpassing Chris Gayle during a match at SuperSport Park in Centurion. This comprehensive T20 excellence extends beyond international cricket into domestic and franchise competitions.
His captaincy record in T20Is shows 48 wins from 85 matches, reflecting a win percentage of approximately 56.5%, demonstrating leadership capabilities alongside his batting excellence.
Pressure and Expectations
For Babar Azam, just nine more runs could turn another chapter in his extraordinary cricketing tale—a poetic reminder of his timing, class, and ability to rise when it matters most. The Pakistan cricket community eagerly anticipates his return, with dual expectations: achieving these historic milestones while rediscovering the form that made him one of modern cricket’s premier batsmen.
A solid outing in the opening match could not only help Pakistan begin the series on a strong note but also make Babar Azam the leading run-getter in T20I cricket history, surpassing one of India’s finest cricketers.
Also read this: Pakistan Selects Babar Azam for South Africa, Sri Lanka Clashes
Record-Breaking Opportunity
Every fan will be watching closely when Babar Azam walks out for the first T20I against South Africa at Rawalpindi. Eight runs separate him from rewriting history. For a man who has built his career on timing and patience, it feels poetic that destiny has set up one more perfectly placed delivery, waiting to be driven through the covers for yet another record-breaking moment.
Whether these records fall in the first match or accumulate across the series, Babar’s return to T20I cricket promises to deliver historic moments that will further cement his legacy as one of the format’s greatest batsmen. His journey from exclusion to potential record-breaking comeback within months demonstrates both his enduring class and Pakistan cricket’s continued reliance on proven performers despite experiments with youth.
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