After nearly a year, Babar Azam will finally return to international T20 cricket today. The Pakistan star last played a T20I in December 2024, also against South Africa.
In a fitting coincidence, his comeback match in Rawalpindi will once again be against South Africa. The match starts at 9 PM Bangladesh time.
Pakistan’s former captain could make his return even more special by setting a world record. With just 9 runs, Babar will surpass Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals.
Rohit currently holds the record with 4,231 runs in 151 innings, while Babar stands at 4,223 runs from 121 innings—that’s 30 fewer innings than Rohit. If Babar breaks the record today, he will do so in 29 fewer innings than the Indian legend.
When it comes to averages, Babar also leads comfortably. His T20I batting average is 39.83, compared to Rohit’s 32.05. However, Rohit dominates in strike rate with 140.89, while Babar’s is 129.22.
Rohit also has more centuries—five to Babar’s three—but Babar has hit more half-centuries. Rohit’s tally stands at 5 centuries and 32 fifties, while Babar has 3 centuries and 36 fifties.
India’s Virat Kohli is third on the all-time list with 4,188 runs in 117 innings, boasting the highest average among the top five—48.69, along with a 137.04 strike rate.
If Babar breaks the record today, he could hold it for a long time. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have already retired from T20 internationals, leaving Babar as the only active player in the 4,000-run club.
Among the top five, Jos Buttler has the best strike rate—148.97—with 3,869 runs, placing him fourth. Ireland opener Paul Stirling ranks fifth with 3,710 runs. Kohli, Buttler, and Stirling each have one century in T20Is.
