Babar Azam ties Virat Kohli in elite T20 record list: At long last, has silenced the chatter. After an unusually prolonged wait by his standards, the Peshawar Zalmi skipper produced a masterclass in modern T20 batting, smashing an unbeaten century to lead to a commanding 255-3 against in the (PSL 11).
Reaching the milestone off the final ball of the innings, Babar’s 100* came in just 52 deliveries, marking his fastest century in PSL history. More significantly, it ended a drought that had stretched across 67 innings and over two years, a rare lean patch for one of the format’s most consistent performers.
Babar’s innings stood out not only for its pace but for its near-flawless execution. He struck six boundaries and cleared the ropes four times, but what truly defined the knock was his control—just a single dot ball across the entire innings.
It was the kind of performance that blended classical timing with calculated aggression, a balance few manage at such a high strike rate.
While Babar anchored the innings, provided the perfect foil. His explosive 83 ensured that the pressure never shifted back to Quetta. Together, the pair stitched a 135-run partnership for the second wicket, dismantling the bowling attack and setting the tone for a massive total.
With this innings, Babar brought up his 47th century partnership in T20 cricket, drawing level with at the top of the all-time list.
Most 100+ partnerships in T20 cricket:
47 – Virat Kohli
47 – Babar Azam
46 – Chris Gayle
45 – David Warner
40 – Faf du Plessis
Babar now shares the record for the most 100-plus stands in T20 history, underlining his consistency and ability to build big partnerships across formats.
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Zalmi’s 255-3 now ranks among the highest totals in PSL history. It is:
- The third-highest total ever in the league
- The highest total by Peshawar Zalmi
- The highest score recorded at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium
Only two innings—one by Quetta themselves in 2025 and another by Multan Sultans in 2023—stand above it.
The century also elevated Babar into elite company within the PSL. He now shares the record for most centuries in the tournament alongside Kamran Akmal, Rilee Rossouw, and Usman Khan.
On the global stage, he continues to climb as well. With 12 T20 centuries to his name, Babar edges closer to the benchmark set by , widely regarded as the format’s most prolific centurion.
Having opted to bowl first, Quetta Gladiators’ decision quickly unraveled. Despite wickets from Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed, and Alzarri Joseph, the bowlers found no way to contain the relentless scoring.
