Babar Azam delivered a performance that merged personal brilliance with national pride, breaking Virat Kohli’s long-standing T20I benchmark and guiding Pakistan to a crucial 4-wicket win over South Africa in Lahore. The innings, a composed yet commanding 68 off 46 balls, came in a tense series decider that sealed a 2-1 victory for Pakistan’s men’s national cricket team.
Set a target of 140, Pakistan found themselves under pressure early on after losing opener Saim Ayub cheaply. But Babar walked in with purpose, stabilising the innings through a mix of timing, placement, and sheer calm under fire. His knock was laced with nine boundaries, and he controlled the chase through intelligent strike rotation — a masterclass in pacing an innings on a slightly two-paced surface.
The pivotal moment wasn’t just the victory; it was the milestone. Babar registered his 40th fifty-plus score in T20 Internationals, surpassing Virat Kohli’s record of 39. In doing so, he moved to the top of the list for most 50+ scores in T20I history — a testament to his consistency, longevity, and technical adaptability across formats and conditions.
Pakistan’s innings saw critical support from Salman Ali Agha, who contributed a steady 33 off 26 balls in a 76-run partnership that swung the momentum back towards the hosts. Together, they rebuilt after the early setback and blunted South Africa’s spin challenge, ensuring that Pakistan reached the finish line comfortably with an over to spare.
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan’s bowlers had done their job with precision, restricting South Africa to 139 for 9. Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi led from the front with tight spells, while the fielding unit held its nerve in key moments. The disciplined bowling laid the groundwork, but it was Babar’s poise with the bat that sealed the outcome.
This knock marked a resurgence for Babar, who had faced criticism over his strike rate and form in recent months. Returning to his best in a high-stakes game reaffirmed his stature as Pakistan’s most dependable T20 batter. More importantly, it served as a statement that he remains one of the most complete modern players in world cricket — equally adept at absorbing pressure as he is at dominating bowling attacks.
The achievement also reignites the debate surrounding the legacy of modern T20 greats. While Kohli’s impact in chases remains unparalleled, Babar’s accumulation of runs and conversion rate at the top of the order make him one of the most consistent batters across formats. Breaking the record in a winning cause only amplified its significance — symbolic of a new era for Pakistan’s batting order.
As Pakistan celebrated under the lights at Lahore, the moment carried echoes beyond numbers. It wasn’t just about reclaiming form or lifting a trophy. For Babar Azam, it was about reaffirming control, rewriting records, and reminding the cricketing world that class, when backed by composure, remains timeless.
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