Babar Azam surpasses Virat Kohli's record for most T20I fifties

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam eclipsed India star Virat Kohli’s mark in the third and final T20I against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday. 

His match-winning 68 off 47 balls, featuring nine fours, took him to 40 fifty-plus scores in T20 internationals, surpassing Kohli’s 39. India’s Rohit Sharma sits third on 37, with Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan fourth on 31.

In the final match, Pakistan chased down a modest 140-run target to clinch a six-wicket victory with six balls remaining, thanks to Babar’s steady half-century.

The hosts had 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, adding a brisk 76-run stand for the third wicket. Babar top-scored with 68, while Agha chipped in with a quick 33 off 26 balls.

Despite a late stumble at 133 for six, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Khan held their composure to take Pakistan home.

Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bowl first 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 fifty-plus scores 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