Pakistan's experienced batter Babar Azam stands on the threshold of a major international milestone in the upcoming Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. During the match against New Zealand scheduled for February 21 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Babar has the opportunity to become the fastest player in the history of T20 cricket to reach 12,000 runs. Despite a recent dip in form and the absence of a half-century in the current tournament, the statistical data places him within close reach of a historic achievement.
Chasing the Fastest 12,000 T20 Runs Milestone
The world record for the fastest 12,000 runs in T20 cricket is currently held by West Indian legend Chris Gayle, who achieved the feat in 343 innings. India's Virat Kohli follows in second place, having reached the milestone in 360 innings. Babar Azam has currently accumulated 11,880 runs in 334 innings across 346 matches. If he scores 20 runs against New Zealand, he will reach the 12,000-run mark in just 335 innings, effectively surpassing Gayle's long-standing record by a margin of eight innings.
Second Pakistani Batter to Reach Elite Club
By securing the required 20 runs, Babar Azam will become only the second Pakistani cricketer and the 12th player globally to enter the 12,000-run club in T20 cricket. To date, Shoaib Malik is the only other Pakistani player to have reached this landmark. 37. This achievement would solidify his position as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the shortest format of the game.
Surpassing Shoaib Malik in T20 World Cup History
In addition to the global record, Babar is also chasing a national record within the T20 World Cup framework. Shoaib Malik currently holds the record for the most runs for Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, with 646 runs in 31 innings. Babar Azam has scored 615 runs in 20 innings so far. A contribution of 32 runs in the next match would see him overtake Malik to become Pakistan's highest run-getter in the history of the tournament. In the ongoing edition, Babar has managed 66 runs in three innings, with a top score of 46.
Venue Dynamics at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo
The Super 8 encounter will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a venue known for its competitive cricketing conditions. While Babar didn't get an opportunity to bat in the final group stage match against Namibia, his historical data against New Zealand in T20 Internationals remains positive. The upcoming match provides a critical platform for the batter to regain his rhythm while simultaneously etching his name at the top of the world record books in the presence of a global audience.
Historical Performance Against New Zealand in T20Is
Babar Azam's track record against the Black Caps has been a cornerstone of Pakistan's batting strategy over the years. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required has been evident in previous bilateral series. As the team prepares for the high-stakes Super 8 stage, the focus remains on his individual milestone of 12,000 runs, which would place him ahead of contemporary greats like Virat Kohli and legends like Chris Gayle in terms of innings speed.