Not so ‘Virat’ anymore? Babar Azam smashes Kohli, Gayle’s T20 record

Pakistan star batter Babar Azam scripted history in T20 cricket by becoming the fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in the format, overtaking legends Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 clash in Karachi.

The milestone came while representing Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings, where Azam delivered a commanding unbeaten 87, leading his team to a massive total and eventual victory.

With this feat, Azam reached the 12,000-run mark in just 338 innings, eclipsing Gayle’s previous record of 343 innings. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the modern greats, sits third on the list, having taken 360 innings to achieve the same milestone.

The record-breaking knock came at a crucial time for Babar, who had recently faced criticism over his finishing abilities.

Responding emphatically, the Pakistan batter let his bat do the talking, anchoring the innings and showcasing his consistency in the shortest format.

Babar’s achievement also highlights his remarkable rise in T20 cricket over the past decade. Known for his elegant stroke play and consistency, he has now firmly established himself among the all-time greats of the format.

Notably, he also became only the second Pakistani batter after Shoaib Malik to cross the 12,000-run mark in T20 cricket.

The innings not only powered Peshawar Zalmi to a dominant win but also reinforced Babar’s stature as one of the most prolific run-scorers in contemporary cricket.

As comparisons with Kohli continue, this landmark further strengthens Babar’s case in the ongoing debate over the best modern-day T20 batter.

With age still on his side, Babar Azam’s record-breaking spree shows no signs of slowing down, signalling more milestones could be on the horizon.