Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, is hot on the heels of T20I’s leading run-scorer, Virat Kohli. With 3,698 runs, Babar sits in third place, just 339 runs behind the Indian legend. Could the upcoming five-match home series against New Zealand see Babar break Kohli’s record?
The Record Chase
Babar’s impressive tally has come in just 103 innings, compared to Kohli’s 109, highlighting his remarkable consistency in the shortest format. With his prolific scoring, it seems only a matter of time before Babar surpasses the Indian star.
India’s all-format captain, Rohit Sharma, occupies the second spot with 3,974 runs. Other notable names on the top-scorers list include New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and Ireland’s Paul Stirling.
Top Five T20I Run Scorers
- Virat Kohli (India): 109 innings, 4,037 runs
- Rohit Sharma (India): 143 innings, 3,974 runs
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 103 innings, 3,698 runs
- Martin Guptill (New Zealand): 118 innings, 3,531 runs
- Paul Stirling (Ireland): 136 innings, 3,491 runs
Pakistan’s Road to the 2024 T20 World Cup
Before the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan faces a packed schedule with a series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England. These twelve crucial T20Is will be vital for fine-tuning their strategies and finding the right team combinations.
One key question is who will partner Babar at the top of the order. His recent reinstatement as white-ball captain raises the possibility of shifting his batting position, a decision that could significantly impact the team’s dynamics.
Building a Winning Team
In modern T20 cricket, maximizing the powerplay overs is essential to set a strong foundation for the innings. Pakistan will need to navigate the tricky middle overs strategically, especially after the fielding restrictions relax.
Every match in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup will be crucial for Pakistan’s preparations. Their performances will offer valuable insights into their readiness for the global stage.
Stay tuned to see if Babar Azam can cement his place in T20I history and lead Pakistan to a successful World Cup campaign!
