Babar Azam on the Verge of Breaking T20 Record in PSL 2026
Babar Azam Approaches Milestone
Babar Azam is nearing a significant achievement in T20 cricket, with the potential to surpass Virat Kohli's record during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. The former captain of Pakistan has accumulated 11,944 runs across 336 innings since his T20 debut in 2012, leaving him just 56 runs shy of reaching the coveted 12,000-run milestone. If he manages to achieve this within his next 13 innings, Azam will become the first right-handed batsman to do so in fewer than 350 innings. Currently, Kohli holds the record for the fastest right-hander to reach 12,000 runs, accomplishing this feat in 360 innings while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Azam has the opportunity to break this record in his upcoming match as he leads Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026.
Meanwhile, Kohli, who is actively participating in IPL 2026 for RCB, has amassed 13,612 runs in 398 innings, which includes 9 centuries and 106 half-centuries. In contrast, Azam's tally consists of 11 centuries and 98 half-centuries. Currently, he is the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals with 4,596 runs. However, his performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup was underwhelming, as he managed only 91 runs in 4 innings, leading to his exclusion from the must-win match against Sri Lanka. He was also omitted from the ODI squad for the series against Bangladesh.
Top Batsmen in T20 Runs
Chris Gayle leads the T20 run-scoring charts with 14,562 runs, having transformed the landscape of T20 cricket. He holds the record for the fastest 12,000 runs in T20s, achieving this in just 343 innings. Since 2022, he has not participated in professional cricket. Following him is Kieron Pollard, who has scored 14,482 runs and remains active in T20s, potentially challenging Gayle's record in his next league appearance. Alex Hales ranks third with 14,449 runs, having retired from international cricket in 2023. David Warner and Jos Buttler occupy the fourth and fifth spots, with Warner at 14,121 runs and Buttler at 13,883 runs. Buttler is on track to surpass the 14,000-run mark in the ongoing IPL 2026, where he plays for Gujarat Titans.