Daijiworld Media Network – Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Nov 1: Pakistan captain Babar Azam etched his name in cricket history on Friday by surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer in men’s T20 internationals. His milestone came as Pakistan thrashed South Africa by nine wickets to level the three-match series.

Babar needed just nine runs to break Sharma’s record of 4,231 runs and achieved it with a single off spinner Donovan Ferreira to long-off. He remained unbeaten on 11 as Pakistan chased down South Africa’s modest total of 110 in only 13.1 overs.

Saim Ayub powered the chase with a blazing 71 not out off 38 balls, marking a return to form, while fast bowlers Salman Mirza and Faheem Ashraf shared seven wickets to dismantle the hosts. The decisive third T20 will be played on Saturday.

This was Babar’s first T20 series in almost a year after being recalled to the squad in place of Fakhar Zaman, who was rested. He missed the opportunity to set the record earlier in Rawalpindi when he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the opening match.

Babar now has 4,234 runs in 130 T20 internationals, including 36 half-centuries and three centuries, with a strike rate of 129. Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals after leading India to a World Cup triumph last year, scored 4,231 runs in 159 matches.