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Pakistan captain Babar Azam etched another golden chapter in his illustrious career, surpassing Virat Kohli’s T20I record for the most fifty-plus scores while guiding his team to a 2-1 series win over South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The star batter’s composed yet commanding innings of 68 off 47 balls ensured Pakistan’s chase remained steady as they secured a six-wicket victory in the series decider.
Babar Azam surpasses Virat Kohli’s T20I milestone
In a moment that will be remembered by cricket fans worldwide, Babar brought up his 40th T20I score of fifty or more, overtaking Kohli’s previous record of 39. His innings, laced with nine elegant boundaries, exemplified the class and composure that have defined his T20 career.
Pakistan began their chase nervously after opener Saim Ayub fell for a duck, but Babar quickly took control. He built a crucial 76-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha, stabilizing the innings and setting up the chase perfectly. The captain’s balance between aggression and restraint highlighted why he remains one of the finest T20 batters in modern cricket.
Babar’s milestone comes just days after he overtook Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is – another testament to his consistency across formats.
Most 50+ scores in men’s T20Is
| Player | Country | 50-plus scores |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 37 fifties, 3 centuries |
| Virat Kohli | India | 38 fifties, 1 hundred |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 32 fifties, 5 centuries |
Pakistan’s bowlers set the stage for victory
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers displayed a disciplined performance to restrict South Africa to 139 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf, struck early to dismantle the Proteas’ top order. Meanwhile, the spinners maintained control through the middle overs, never allowing South Africa to build momentum.
The bowlers’ collective effort laid the perfect foundation for the chase, and Pakistan’s batters capitalized effectively. The home side’s fielding was also sharp, with key catches preventing South Africa from recovering late in the innings.
Despite South Africa showing flashes of brilliance earlier in the series, Pakistan’s adaptability and depth in both departments proved decisive in the finale.
Also READ: Babar Azam breaks Rohit Sharma’s T20I record as Pakistan thrash South Africa
Babar Azam’s reaction: “It’s about absorbing pressure”
After being named Player of the Match, Babar reflected on his record-breaking knock and the team’s triumph.
“This innings was long due,” he admitted. “I backed myself, and the team believed in me. It’s about how you absorb pressure. I just wanted to play according to the situation.”
His calm leadership and ability to perform under pressure once again stood out – traits that have defined his captaincy over the past few years.
With this victory, Pakistan not only claimed the series but also sent a strong message ahead of their upcoming international commitments. The win will bolster the team’s confidence as they prepare for a busy cricketing calendar leading into the 2026 T20 World Cup.
For Babar, the night was more than just about records – it was a reminder of his enduring dominance in T20 cricket and his ability to lead from the front when it matters most.
