Pakistan batter Babar Azam beat the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and David Warner to become the fastest to 11000 T20 runs during the second T20 international against South Africa on Friday at the Supersport Park in Centurion. With the ex captain achieving the landmark of 11000 runs only in 298 innings, he is now the fastest to reach there.
Before Babar, West Indian legend Gayle held the record for the fastest to 11000 runs in the format as the Jamaican had accomplished it in 314 innings. Warner took 330 innings to get there, while Kohli needed 337 innings.
By scoring 31 off 20 deliveries, the Lahore-born cricketer also found some semblance of form ahead of Pakistan's tougher assignments. The 30-year-old fell for a duck to Kwena Maphaka in the opening T20I against South Africa in Durban, but slammed three boundaries and a six in the second game.
Reeza Hendricks' blazing hundred ensures Saim Ayub's 98 goes in vain
With the help of Saim Ayub's 98 and cameos from Babar and Irfan Khan, Pakistan were able to post an imposing 206/5 in their stipulated 20 overs. While the Proteas lost a wicket in the second over of the innings, followed by another in the fourth, they rallied around Reeza Hendricks' maiden T20I hundred and his partnership of 157 with Rassie van der Dussen.
While Hendricks was dismissed for 117, Van Der Dussen stayed unbeaten on 66 to see their side over the line.
