Babar Azam Creates T20I History, Surpasses Virat Kohli in Landmark Achievement
In a remarkable display of batting prowess, Babar Azam has etched his name into the annals of T20 International cricket history. On Sunday in Lahore, the Pakistani captain achieved a significant milestone by becoming the batter with the most half-centuries in the format, surpassing the previous record held by Indian superstar Virat Kohli.
Record-Breaking Performance in Series Sweep
Babar's unbeaten 50 not only anchored Pakistan's commanding batting display but also took his tally of T20I fifties to 39, moving him past Kohli's 38. This achievement came during Pakistan's dominant 3–0 series sweep of Australia, marking their third T20I series whitewash against the visitors following similar triumphs in 2010 and 2018.
The milestone was achieved in a one-sided third T20I where Pakistan piled up an imposing 207 for 6 before bowling Australia out for just 96, sealing a crushing 111-run victory. This comprehensive performance provides a timely boost for Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
Babar's Reflections on the Achievement
Reflecting on his knock and the team's impressive form, Babar emphasized the importance of adaptability in challenging conditions. "One of the key things we always talk about is reading the conditions early and then shaping the game plan accordingly," he stated. "For me, the batting position doesn't matter as much as executing the team's plan."
The Pakistani captain also praised Saim Ayub's aggressive intent at the top of the order and expressed gratitude to the Lahore crowd for their unwavering support throughout the series.
Statistical Dominance in T20I Cricket
The updated list of batters with most fifties in T20 Internationals now stands as:
- 39 - Babar Azam
- 38 - Virat Kohli
- 32 - Rohit Sharma
- 30 - Mohammad Rizwan
- 28 - David Warner / Jos Buttler
Team Performance Highlights
Saim Ayub set the tone for Pakistan's innings with a fluent 56 off just 37 balls, while Babar played the crucial role of stabilizer after early wickets fell. The partnership of 69 runs for the third wicket proved instrumental in building the foundation for Pakistan's imposing total.
Shadab Khan's late assault of 46 off just 19 balls provided the final flourish, with Pakistan scoring 70 runs in the last five overs to push the total beyond Australia's reach.
Australia's Batting Collapse
Australia's chase never gained momentum as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, removing Mitchell Marsh for just one run. The visitors' collapse accelerated when Mohammad Nawaz ran through the middle order with career-best figures of 5 for 18.
The Australian batting lineup managed only 96 runs as Pakistan's bowlers and fielders dominated across all departments, showcasing exceptional teamwork and execution.
Post-Match Reactions
Captain Salman Agha hailed what he described as a near-perfect series performance from his team, highlighting the comprehensive nature of their victory across all three matches. Meanwhile, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh admitted his team had been comprehensively outplayed in all aspects of the game.
This series victory not only establishes Pakistan's dominance in T20 cricket but also sends a strong message to other teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Babar Azam's record-breaking achievement adds another chapter to his growing legacy as one of the modern greats of limited-overs cricket.
