🏏 Babar Azam On Verge of Breaking Rohit Sharma’s All-Time T20I Record History Awaits in Rawalpindi!
Cricket fans around the world are bracing for a historic moment as Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam edges closer to rewriting the record books. With the highly anticipated home T20I series against South Africa just around the corner, the spotlight is firmly on Babar, who is now only 9 runs away from overtaking former India captain Rohit Sharma as the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket history.
This is more than just a statistic — it is a moment that could reshape the global cricket debate surrounding modern-day batting greats. Babar Azam vs Rohit Sharma has been a trending topic for years, but as this record stands on the verge of changing hands, the cricket world is buzzing with anticipation.
In this detailed cricket blog, we break down everything about Babar’s record chase, the significance of this milestone, the upcoming Pakistan vs South Africa T20I series, squad analysis, and what this moment means for Pakistan cricket — especially considering Babar’s return to the shortest format after 10 months.
📊 Babar Azam vs Rohit Sharma – The T20I Run Race Explained
It has been a long-running debate: Who is the better T20I batter — Babar Azam or Rohit Sharma?
While opinions vary, the numbers now tell a compelling story.
Here’s the current leaderboard for most runs in Men’s T20Is:
| Rank | Player | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Rohit Sharma | 4231 | 159 |
| 🥈 2 | Babar Azam | 4223 | 128 |
| 🥉 3 | Virat Kohli | 4188 | 125 |
| 4 | Jos Buttler | 3869 | 144 |
With just 9 runs needed to surpass Rohit, Babar is expected to break the record in the very first T20I against South Africa. One boundary and a couple of singles — that’s all it may take to create cricket history.
Unlike Rohit, who has played 31 more matches than Babar, the Pakistani star has reached this point with a superior average of 39.83, highlighting his consistency and elegance as a top-order batter.
This sets the stage for what could be a monumental moment not just for Pakistan cricket, but for the global T20I landscape.
🧨 The Significance of This Record for Pakistan Cricket
If Babar Azam becomes the highest run-scorer in T20I history, he would mark:
✅ The first Pakistani batter ever to top the T20I run charts
✅ A massive milestone for Pakistan cricket’s batting reputation
✅ A shift in the “Big 3” batting narrative dominated by India and England
For years, critics argued that Pakistan lacked batting icons in limited-overs cricket. But Babar’s rise has transformed that perception. This record would reinforce the idea that Pakistan not only produces elite bowlers but also world-class batting superstars.
🏟️ Babar’s Return to T20Is – A Comeback Story
The upcoming T20I series will mark Babar Azam’s return to the national T20I side after 10 months, having last played against South Africa in December last year.
During that period, Pakistan chose to experiment with younger players in the shortest format, and Babar surprisingly missed out on the squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. His omission caused intense debate among fans, former cricketers, and analysts. Was Pakistan cricket moving on from the Babar era?
But fate took a turn. With Pakistan’s disappointing Asia Cup campaign and instability at the top order, the selectors have recalled the batting maestro — a decision welcomed by fans across the country.
The stage is now set for a captain-like comeback, even though he is not leading the side this time.
🔥 Why This Home Series Against South Africa Matters More Than Ever
This is not just any bilateral series — this series carries weight, pride, and global attention for several reasons:
⭐ 1. Babar’s Record Chase Will Make the Series Historic
Every cricket headline internationally will discuss this milestone if Babar crosses Rohit.
🧪 2. Pakistan Rebuilding T20I Core After Asia Cup Failure
The team is restructuring, and Babar’s comeback gives stability to the batting unit.
🇿🇦 3. South Africa Are T20 World Cup 2024 Finalists
Facing the runners-up of the last T20 World Cup immediately intensifies the challenge.
🏠 4. Fans Anticipating a Celebratory Homecoming
Rawalpindi could witness history — and what better place for Babar to reclaim the spotlight than on home soil?
🧠 Deep-Dive Analysis: Babar Azam’s T20I Batting Style & Why It Works
Although we avoid external stats, looking at what you shared — Babar’s average of 39.83 in T20Is stands out. This number reflects rare consistency in a format known for unpredictability.
🔍 What Makes Babar Different?
Here’s a breakdown based solely on provided information and logical analysis:
🧵 Consistency Over Random Brilliance
Where others rely on aggression, Babar builds his innings with control, timing, and placement.
🔥 Anchor Role Expertise
He plays the anchor role better than any Pakistani batter, giving a platform for others to attack.
🎯 Game Awareness
He adapts to conditions — especially useful in Pakistani wickets like Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.
With this record on the line, we may witness a more expressive version of Babar in the opening match — eager to make a statement.
🧑🤝🧑 Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20Is – Full List
Here is the complete Pakistan squad for the T20I series against the Proteas:
- Salman Ali Agha (c)
- Abdul Samad
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usman Khan (wk)
- Usman Tariq
This squad brings a mix of youth and experience — the perfect environment for Babar’s return.
🧩 Key Storylines to Watch in the T20I Series
🏆 1. Will Babar Become the Top Run-Scorer in Match 1?
He only needs 9 runs — one over could change history.
🤝 2. Chemistry With New & Young Players
How will Babar blend with youngsters now forming Pakistan's T20I core?
📍 3. Emotional Return to T20Is
After 10 months away, expect passion, intent, and hunger.
🧛 Babar vs Rohit: The Debate Will Explode!
Once Babar crosses the milestone, social media wars are guaranteed to trend:
- #BabarAzam
- #KingBabar
- #RohitSharma
- #PAKvSA
- #T20IRecord
Pakistani fans will celebrate wildly, Indians will defend Rohit, and the cricketing world will enjoy the rivalry.
🧠 Cricketory Insights & Expert Analysis
At Cricketory, we believe this moment goes far beyond numbers — it represents a major identity shift in modern T20 cricket. Babar Azam breaking Rohit Sharma’s all-time T20I record would reshape how the world perceives Pakistan’s white-ball batting legacy.
Here are Cricketory’s exclusive insights & analysis:
📍 1. This Record Will Redefine Babar’s Global Legacy
Breaking Rohit’s record will elevate Babar into a new bracket — not just as a stylish batter, but as an all-time T20 great. The narrative that he “only scores in bilateral cricket” will weaken once he tops the global run charts.
🧊 2. Pressure Handling Will Be Key
With the entire cricket world watching, handling pressure in the opening game will be a mental battle. If Babar crosses the milestone early, the remainder of the series could unleash a more fearless version of him.
🧬 3. A Turning Point for Pakistan’s T20 Future
Pakistan struggled in the Asia Cup, especially with batting stability. Babar’s return offers:
- leadership without captaincy burden,
- guidance for youngsters like Saim Ayub & Usman Khan,
- and a psychological boost for the dressing room.
His presence alone strengthens Pakistan’s batting identity.
🔥 4. Expect Tactical Adjustment in Batting Order
Cricketory expects Pakistan to send Babar in his favorite role at top order to ease pressure and allow him to break the record quickly. A lower-middle order role would only delay the inevitable and build nerves.
🧲 5. The Rivalry Narrative Will Fuel Viewership
Pakistan vs India rivalries rarely happen on the field, but records like this keep the rivalry alive globally. The moment Babar crosses Rohit, the spotlight of world cricket will shift toward Pakistan — boosting series viewership, engagement, and social media trends.
Cricketory Prediction:
Babar Azam will surpass Rohit Sharma's record in the first match, inside his first 10 balls.
🧨 What If Babar Scores a Century in the 1st T20I?
Imagine this script:
Babar surpasses Rohit and scores a match-winning hundred.
This would:
✅ Turn his comeback into a cinematic cricket moment
✅ Make the series unforgettable
✅ Bring global headlines to Pakistan cricket
📣 Final Thoughts – A Moment of Pride for Pakistan
This is not just a record — it is a symbol of cricketing legacy.
Whether you are a Babar fan or not, one thing is undeniable:
He has carried the weight of Pakistan cricket on his shoulders for years.
If he becomes the highest run-scorer in T20I history, it would be a proud moment for every Pakistani fan, for Pakistan cricket, and for the sport itself.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many runs does Babar Azam need to break Rohit Sharma’s T20I record?
A: Babar needs just 9 runs to surpass Rohit Sharma and become the highest run-scorer in T20I history.
Q2: When is Babar Azam expected to break the record?
A: Most likely in the first T20I vs South Africa, as he needs only a few runs to achieve the milestone.
Q3: Why was Babar Azam out of the T20I squad for 10 months?
A: Pakistan opted to test new young players in the shortest format. After the Asia Cup struggle, Babar has been recalled for stability and experience.
Q4: Will becoming the top T20I scorer settle the Babar vs Rohit debate?
A: It won’t end the debate — but it will strengthen Babar’s case as a modern T20 great and elevate his legacy globally.
Q5: How will this record impact Pakistan cricket?
A: It will boost team morale, strengthen Pakistan’s batting credibility, and inspire future talent — proving Pakistan also produces record-breaking batting icons, not just bowlers.