Babar Azam, the esteemed captain of the Pakistan cricket team, etched his name in the annals of cricket history during the second T20I match against England on Saturday, May 25. The prolific Pakistani batsman surpassed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in a noteworthy T20I run-scoring milestone and is now on the brink of dethroning Virat Kohli as the leading run-scorer in the T20I format.
During the match, Pakistan was tasked with chasing a formidable target of 184 runs set by England at Birmingham’s iconic Edgbaston ground. Babar Azam got off to a promising start in the innings, displaying his impeccable batting skills. However, his efforts to anchor the innings were short-lived as he was dismissed by Moeen Ali, falling victim to an lbw decision. Babar managed to contribute 32 runs off 26 balls before his dismissal. Despite not reaching a mammoth score, his innings carried significant weight as he crossed a pivotal milestone after amassing 20 runs.
With his innings, Babar Azam surpassed Rohit Sharma’s impressive tally of 3,987 T20 International runs. He now stands second on the list of the highest run-scorers in the T20I format, trailing only the legendary Virat Kohli. Kohli, the former Indian captain, occupies the top spot with a formidable 4,037 runs achieved in just 109 innings. Remarkably, Kohli has played only two T20I matches since November 2022, adding to the suspense and excitement around this chase for the top position.
Nevertheless, with no scheduled T20I matches for India before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Babar Azam has a golden opportunity to claim the crown. The Pakistani skipper needs just 51 more runs to surpass Virat Kohli’s record, with two more matches against England remaining in the ongoing four-match series. This sets the stage for Babar to etch his name at the summit of T20I run-scoring charts.
On the other side, England’s captain Jos Buttler led from the front, delivering a spectacular performance. Buttler scored a commendable 84 runs off just 51 balls, steering England to a competitive total of 183 runs. His innings was laced with sheer brilliance, showcasing his prowess with the bat.
. Buttler’s innings also saw him becoming the first English cricketer to breach the 3,000 T20I runs mark. Moreover, he equaled Eoin Morgan’s record for the most T20I appearances for England, adding further accolades to his illustrious career.
Despite Buttler’s valiant efforts, the focus was largely on Babar Azam’s pursuit of greatness. As Pakistan started their chase, early wickets by England’s bowlers put them on the backfoot. Both openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, were dismissed cheaply, increasing the pressure on the middle order. Pakistan’s innings saw them folded at 160 runs in 19.2 overs, falling short by 23 runs.
England’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Reece Topley, who clinched three wickets for 41 runs, and the returning fast bowler Jofra Archer, who scalped two crucial wickets for 28 runs. Their combined efforts ensured that England defended their total robustly, securing an impressive victory by 23 runs.
The narrative of this match was filled with high stakes and drama, spotlighting Babar Azam’s historic milestone and leaving cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipating the upcoming T20I matches. With Babar Azam inching closer to surpassing Virat Kohli, the next few games promise to be a thrilling spectacle in the cricketing world. As Babar steers his team through the rest of the series, all eyes will be on the Pakistani skipper, monitoring every run he scores, every shot he plays, and every record he breaks.
The context of Babar Azam’s achievement extends beyond mere statistics. It is a testament to his skill, consistency, and tenacity. His journey in T20I cricket has been exemplary, reflecting his capability to perform under pressure and lead by example. The remaining matches of the series against England carry an added layer of significance as they may well herald a new chapter in T20I cricket history, one where Babar Azam stands tall as the leading run-scorer, surpassing two of the format’s greatest batsmen, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
