Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has scripted history by becoming the quickest batter to score 11,000 runs in T20 cricket, surpassing West Indies legend Chris Gayle in the process. Babar achieved the feat in just 298 innings, as he breaks Gayle’s long-standing record of 314 innings. The impressive feat came during his 31-run knock in the second T20I against South Africa in Centurion, helping Pakistan post a competitive 206-5.
This makes Babar the first to enter the elite club of players who have scored 11,000 runs in T20 cricket. While 11 other players have crossed the 11,000-run mark in T20s, Babar breaks Chris Gayle’s record to stand apart as the quickest to do so. He is also the second Pakistani to reach this milestone, following Shoaib Malik. However, both Shoaib and Babar have the lowest strike rates among this elite group, with Babar achieving the milestone at 129.37, slightly ahead of Shoaib’s 127.47.
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Adding to this, Babar has crossed 14,000 runs in international cricket and stands as the fifth Pakistani batsman to have done that. He is also the second-fastest Pakistani to cross this mark, behind only the great Mohammad Yousuf. In the match played at Centurion, he also equaled the record of Shahid Afridi to hit 73 sixes in T20Is and demonstrated his all-round contribution in the format.
While Babar breaks Chris Gayle’s record with elegance and consistency, his journey reflects a new era for Pakistani cricket. His ability to combine milestones with match-winning performances makes him one of the modern greats in the game. The record, achieved in front of a packed crowd, adds another glittering chapter to his storied career.
Also, see: Babar Azam Biography | Babar Azam Profile | Babar Azam Net Worth
