Former Pakistani captain Babar Azam became the fastest player to score 12,000 runs in T20 cricket, achieving the milestone in 338 innings, surpassing Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.
West Indian legend Chris Gayle completed 12,000 T20 runs in 343 innings, while former Indian captain Virat Kohli reached the milestone in 360 innings.
The Lahore-born right-hander also became only the second Pakistani player to cross 12,000 T20 runs, after former captain Shoaib Malik, who scored 13,571 in 515 innings.
The stylish batter is also the fastest batter to reach 7,000 , 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 and 12, 000 in the shortest format of the game.
The former captain now has 11 centuries and 99 half-centuries in T20 cricket, with an average of 41.91 and a strike rate of 128.29.
| Player | Innings to 12,000 T20 Runs |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 338 |
| Chris Gayle | 343 |
| Virat Kohli | 360 |
Peshawar Zalmi posted 246 for three against Karachi Kings after Kings captain David Warner chose to field first in the 14th match at National Bank Stadium.
Zalmi lost opener Mohammad Haris for zero in the first over, bowled by Khushdil Shah, before Mendis joined captain Babar Azam at the crease.
Mendis and Azam built a commanding 191-run partnership for the second wicket from 97 deliveries, turning the innings around after the early dismissal of Haris.
This 191-run partnership between the two is the highest for any wicket in the Pakistan Super League. The previous record was 176 by Babar Azam and Shakeel Khan.
Afridi dismissed Mendis in the 17th over after his 109 from 52 balls, which included fourteen fours and four sixes, ending the marathon stand.
Afridi struck again by removing Michael Bracewell on the final delivery of the seventeenth over, reducing Zalmi to 197 for three at that stage.
Babar remained unbeaten with 87 from 51 balls, hitting ten fours and two sixes, sharing a 49-run partnership with Abdul Samad for the fourth wicket.
Samad contributed a rapid 40 from 12 balls, ensuring Zalmi’s total reached 246 for three, giving the side a commanding score against Karachi Kings.
