Babar Azam looks back to his best—and the timing couldn’t be better. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan star batter smashed a long-standing T20I record held by Virat Kohli, guiding Pakistan to a thumping series win over Australia in Lahore.
Record night at Gaddafi Stadium
In the third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Babar played a calm yet authoritative knock, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 36 balls. The innings, laced with three fours and a six, anchored Pakistan’s dominance as they sealed a massive 111-run victory.
That half-century was Babar’s 39th in T20 internationals—taking him past Kohli’s tally of 38 and placing him alone at the top of the list for most T20I fifties.
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Numbers that underline his impact
Beyond the landmark, Babar continues to lead the charts in T20I runs. He now has 4,505 runs from 132 innings, averaging 39.51 with a strike rate of 128.38. For Pakistan, those numbers are more than personal milestones—they signal a return to rhythm from their premier batter at a crucial phase.
Pakistan complete dominant whitewash
Pakistan wrapped up the series with a 3-0 clean sweep against Australia, inflicting their heaviest-ever defeat in the T20I format. Captain Salman Agha led from the front across the series, scoring 120 runs at a blistering strike rate of 171.42 to earn the Player of the Series award.
World Cup build-up and Group A drama
The convincing series win strengthens Pakistan’s build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where they are placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, the USA and India. Pakistan are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7.
However, uncertainty looms over the much-anticipated clash against India. Pakistan have announced they will not take part in the February 15 fixture in Colombo after the government declined permission for the match.
ICC warning and financial stakes
The International Cricket Council has reportedly cautioned the Pakistan Cricket Board that skipping the marquee contest could invite serious penalties. The India–Pakistan match remains the biggest draw at any ICC event, driving record viewership and massive commercial interest.
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Industry estimates suggest a single 10-second ad slot during the game could fetch up to ₹40 lakh. A no-show could lead to advertising losses ranging between ₹200 crore and ₹250 crore, while India would be awarded two crucial group-stage points.
For now, though, the spotlight stays on Babar Azam—back among the runs, breaking records, and reminding everyone why he remains central to Pakistan’s World Cup ambitions.
FAQs
Pakistan star Babar Azam broke Virat Kohli’s long-standing T20I record by scoring his 39th half-century in international T20 cricket.
Babar Azam went past Virat Kohli to become the player with the most half-centuries in T20 internationals.
The record was broken during the third T20I against Australia in Lahore, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Babar Azam now has 39 T20I fifties, the most by any player in the format’s history.
Pakistan completed a dominant 3-0 whitewash, with the final match ending in a 111-run victory.
Babar’s return to form and Pakistan’s dominant series win boost the team’s confidence ahead of the global tournament.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha was named Player of the Series for his consistent and explosive performances.
