🏏 Babar Azam Breaks Rohit Sharma’s Record | Most Runs in T20I History 2025
🇵🇰 New King of T20Is: Babar Azam Rewrites Cricket History
On a thrilling night at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Babar Azam etched his name into cricket immortality by surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in Men’s T20I cricket. The moment arrived during the second T20I between Pakistan and South Africa — a match already filled with emotion as fans welcomed their hero back to the national T20I side.
Babar, who needed just 9 runs to break the long-standing record, reached the milestone with a simple single — but the achievement was anything but simple.
Babar Azam — 4232+ Runs in 130 T20Is
A journey of class, consistency, and cricketing elegance.
The stadium erupted. Fans rose to their feet. And the record books were rewritten.
📊 Most Runs in Men’s T20I Cricket (Updated)
| Rank | Player | Country | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Babar Azam | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 4232* | 130* |
| 2️⃣ | Rohit Sharma | 🇮🇳 India | 4231 | 159 |
| 3️⃣ | Virat Kohli | 🇮🇳 India | 4188 | 125 |
| 4️⃣ | Jos Buttler | 🏴 England | 3869 | 144 |
📌 Babar is still active and rapidly increasing his record total.
🌟 How Babar Reached the Milestone
Babar confidently cover-drove Corbin Bosch to the boundary early in his innings — his signature shot — signaling that history was moments away.
He then kept rotating strike while Saim Ayub launched an aggressive assault. The Lahore crowd chanted his name every ball.
Finally…
➡️ 12th over
➡️ Donovan Ferreira bowling
➡️ Babar works it to long-off
➡️ Pakistan celebrates
The moment the world was waiting for — history achieved ✅
Crowds waved flags, teammates applauded, and even opposition players acknowledged his greatness.
🧠 Babar Azam’s T20I Career: Built on Technique + Temperament
Unlike many modern T20 superstars who rely solely on power, Babar’s success comes from:
✅ Elegant stroke play
✅ Elite consistency
✅ Field manipulation
✅ Shot selection perfection
✅ Leadership mindset
He rarely smashes wildly — he outsmarts bowlers.
His strike rotation efficiency remains one of the best in the world, especially in middle overs where many batters struggle.
Career Highlights So Far:
- Former No.1 ICC T20I Batsman
- Pakistan’s highest run-scorer across formats
- One of few batters with 3000+ runs in each international format
- Fastest Asian to multiple milestones in T20Is
📈 Record Tracker: Babar vs Rohit vs Kohli
| Metric | Babar Azam | Rohit Sharma | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | ⭐ Higher | Medium | Very High |
| Strike Rate | Improving | High | Controlled |
| Conversion Rate | Strong | Strong | Best |
| Career Left | Long ahead | Near twilight | Selective cricket |
📍 Experts say Babar may finish with a record that lasts decades.
🔥 The Comeback Story Fans Wanted
This series is special for Babar because:
- He was not selected for Asia Cup 2025
- A shift in team direction placed focus on youngsters
- His T20 position was questioned
- Critics called him “one-dimensional”
But champions rise.
Babar returned home — to Lahore — and answered all critics with a record that proves longevity and class matter more than temporary dip.
His response?
🗣️ “Numbers speak louder than words.”
🎯 A Captaincy Twist in the Tale
Once Pakistan’s all-format leader, Babar stepped away from captaincy after the 2023 period of turbulence.
While younger players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Azam Khan have been groomed, Babar’s experience remains the anchor.
His leader’s mindset still drives:
- Team bonding
- Calm chasing strategy
- Reading bowlers like a chess board
Even without an armband — he remains Pakistan’s true batting captain.
🌍 World Reactions to the Record
Commentators globally praised the achievement:
“Technique wins long races — Babar is a marathon champion.”
— Michael Vaughan
“A modern great. Timing is his superpower.”
— Waqar Younis
“Surpassing Rohit and chasing Kohli — this is rare elite company.”
— Harsha Bhogle
Social media exploded:
✅ #KingBabar
✅ #RecordBreaker
✅ #BabarAzamEra
All trended across Pakistan, India, and beyond.
👑 Why Babar Azam Is Now the Definitive King of T20Is
| Attribute | Babar Score |
|---|---|
| Consistency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Longevity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pressure Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shot Aesthetics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Not brute-force power.
Not hype.
Just pure batting art — and it works everywhere.
He isn’t just a star.
He’s a legacy player.
🔬 Analytics: The Secret of Babar’s Scoring Engine
| Zone | Run Contribution | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Covers & Mid-Off | 45% | Trademark Drives |
| Square Region | 25% | Late Cuts, Guides |
| Straight Down Ground | 20% | High-control shots |
| Leg Side Flicks | 10% | Minimal risk scoring |
⭕ He almost never plays reckless cross-batted shots
⭕ He has among the lowest false-shot percentages in T20Is
⭕ When Babar bats 12+ overs → Pakistan almost always wins
🏟️ Gaddafi Stadium: A Venue of Magic for Babar
- His debut homeland moments
- Captaincy lifts
- Century memories
- And now world record glory 🌟
The stadium has become Babar’s fortress.
Fan banner seen in the crowd:
“Where there is Babar, there is belief.”
🏏 What Makes This Record More Special?
Rohit Sharma’s 4231 runs:
➡️ Came across a 16-year career
➡️ Mostly as an opener, facing more powerplay overs
Babar’s 4232+ runs:
➡️ Only 130 matches
➡️ Majority as a one-down player
➡️ Played on tougher, slower Asian pitches
➡️ With fewer boundary opportunities
This is harder than opening on flat batting tracks.
Statistically:
Babar reached the record with greater efficiency and fewer innings.
🔮 Future Milestones Loading…
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| First to 4500 T20I Runs | 🔄 Next Target |
| Most 50s in T20Is | 🔄 Top contender |
| Fastest to 5000 T20I Runs | 🔄 Possible |
| Most man-of-the-match awards | 🔄 Rising |
If he plays until 2029+:
➡️ He may finish near 6000 T20I runs
➡️ A record that could stand forever
🏆 Pakistan’s Goals from here
With T20 World Cup 2026 approaching:
- Babar is central to team structure
- His partnership with young stars like Saim Ayub is lethal
- Pakistan strengthen their top-order dominance
This milestone boosts Pakistan’s:
✅ Dressing room confidence
✅ Fan excitement
✅ Global respect
🧩 Narrative: A Hero After Doubt
Pakistan cricket thrives on comebacks.
Babar just delivered one of the biggest chapters.
What makes legends great?
- They absorb pressure
- They evolve under scrutiny
- They rise when counted out
Babar Azam did exactly that.
This record is his message:
“I’m not done. I’m getting better.”
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When did Babar become the highest T20I run-scorer?
A: During Pakistan vs South Africa 2nd T20I in Lahore, 2025.Q2: Whose record did Babar break?
A: Rohit Sharma’s all-time T20I record of 4231 runs.Q3: How many matches has Babar played?
A: 130+ T20Is so far.Q4: Is Babar still active in T20Is?
A: Yes — and still scoring heavily.Q5: Who is close to the record now?
A: Virat Kohli — but his T20I future is limited.🏁 Final Word: A New Era Begins
Babar Azam’s record isn’t just a personal milestone —
It is a milestone for Pakistan cricket.
It silences critics.
It inspires the next generation.
It proves class beats power.
The crown of T20 batting now rests firmly on his head:
👑 Babar Azam — The New King of T20I Cricket
And he’s nowhere near finished.