Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam eclipsed India star Virat Kohli’s score in the third and final T20I against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
His match-winning 68 off 47 balls, with nine fours, took him to 40 scores of fifty-plus in T20 internationals, surpassing Kohli’s 39. India’s Rohit Sharma is third on 37, while Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is fourth on 31.
In the final match, Pakistan chased down a modest target of 140 runs to achieve a six-wicket win with six balls to spare, thanks to Babar’s steady half-century.
The hosts suffered an early setback when opener Saim Ayub departed for a six-ball duck, but Babar and Sahibzada Farhan steadied the innings with a 36-run partnership. Farhan contributed 19 off 18 balls before falling in the seventh over.
Babar then joined forces with skipper Salman Ali Agha and added a sturdy stand of 76 runs for the third wicket. Babar top scored with 68 while Agha scored a quick 33 off 26 balls.
Despite a late stumble at 133 for six, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan kept their composure to take Pakistan home.
Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bowl proved effective as Shaheen Afridi and Salman Mirza led a disciplined bowling effort to restrict South Africa to 139 for nine in 20 overs.
Both teams will now head to Faisalabad for a three-match ODI series scheduled from November 4 to 8.
Most scores of fifty-plus in T20I career:
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 40
Virat Kohli (India) – 39
Rohit Sharma (India) – 37
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 31
David Warner (Australia) – 29
Jos Buttler (England) – 29
