Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam etched his name in cricket history by surpassing Virat Kohli’s T20I record during the third and final T20 International against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Babar, who played a brilliant match-winning knock of 68 off 47 balls, smashed nine boundaries en route to his 40th fifty-plus score in T20 internationals — one more than Kohli’s previous tally of 39.
With this milestone, Babar now holds the record for the most fifty-plus scores in men’s T20I cricket, further cementing his status among the modern-day greats.
Most Fifty-Plus Scores in T20Is:
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 40
Virat Kohli (India) – 39
Rohit Sharma (India) – 37
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 31
David Warner (Australia) – 29
Jos Buttler (England) – 29
Pakistan successfully chased down 140 runs to claim a six-wicket victory over South Africa, clinching the three-match T20I series 2–1.
After losing opener Saim Ayub for a six-ball duck, Babar and Sahibzada Farhan steadied the innings with a crucial 36-run partnership. Farhan made 19 off 18 before falling in the seventh over.
Babar then combined with captain Salman Ali Agha to add a brisk 76-run stand for the third wicket. Agha contributed a quick 33 off 26 balls, while Babar anchored the chase with his trademark precision.
Although Pakistan stumbled briefly at 133 for six, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan ensured a calm finish, taking their side home with six balls to spare.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Salman Mirza, delivered a disciplined performance to restrict South Africa to 139 for nine in 20 overs.
With this series win, Pakistan gained momentum ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series in Faisalabad, scheduled from November 4 to 8.
