Is Babar Azam a better T20 player than Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle? The Peshawar Zalmi skipper has certainly entered the bid for the title of greatest T20 batter after going past the all-time greats to become the fastest player to score 10,000 T20 runs.
Playing against the Karachi Kings in the PSL 2024 season, the right-handed batter flicked the ball by pacer Mir Hamza towards the mid-wicket region and ran two to complete 10,000 runs in T20 cricket. Having already been seen as one of the greatest ODI batters, the 29-year-old has also entered his name into contention as a T20 legend.
Fastest to 10000 T20 runs
Not only Gayle and Kohli, but Babar Azam has also beaten Aussie legends David Warner and Aaron Finch to claim the record. The former Pakistan skipper has not only beaten the four in terms of fewer innings taken to reach the milestone but also in terms of time taken.
| Player | Opposition | Date | Debut | Time | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Karachi Kings | 21 Feb 2024 | 1 Dec 2012 | 11y 82d | 271 |
| Chris Gayle | Gujarat Lions | 18 Apr 2017 | 15 Sep 2005 | 11y 215d | 285 |
| Virat Kohli | Mumbai Indians | 26 Sep 2021 | 3 Apr 2007 | 14y 176d | 299 |
| David Warner | Chennai Super Kings | 28 Apr 2021 | 5 Jan 2007 | 14y 113d | 303 |
| Aaron Finch | Perth Scorchers | 22 Dec 2021 | 2 Jan 2009 | 12y 354d | 327 |
