In a remarkable feat during the second T20I against New Zealand, Pakistani wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan made history by surpassing both his national team captain, Babar Azam, and Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as the fastest batter to reach 3000 runs in T20Is.
Rizwan achieved this milestone in just 79 innings, eclipsing the previous joint record holders Kohli and Azam, who each took 81 innings. Australia’s Aaron Finch follows closely behind, achieving the feat in 98 innings.
His pivotal knock of 45 runs in the match against the Blackcaps not only secured Pakistan’s victory but also etched his name in the record books.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam is on the verge of overtaking Kohli’s record for the most runs in T20I cricket. With 3,698 runs to his name, Azam currently ranks third among the highest run-scorers in the format, trailing Kohli’s 4,037 runs and his teammate Rohit Sharma’s 3,974 runs.
Azam needs just 340 runs in five games to become both the highest run-scorer and the second batter to surpass the 4000-run mark in T20I cricket.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan’s comprehensive bowling performance, coupled with Rizwan’s composed innings, led to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a modest target of 91 runs, Pakistan comfortably reached the total in 12.1 overs, with Rizwan sealing the win by striking a boundary off Cole McConchie over square leg.
Here are the playing XIs for both teams:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.
