Pakistan all-rounder Babar Azam etched his name into the record books with a significant international performance during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Babar, who produced a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries with 10 boundaries, has now become the only batter to surpass 9,000 international runs in the 2020s.
He reached the milestone in his 212th international appearance of the decade, underscoring his consistency across formats. His career figures during this period include 67 half-centuries and 17 centuries, at an average of 42.53.
England’s Joe Root is second on the list with 8,305 runs in 120 matches, while Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is third with 7,779 runs in 199 matches.
Most international races in the current decade (2020s):
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 9,060 runs
Joe Root (England) – 8,305 runs
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 7,779 runs
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 7,046 runs
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 6,873 runs
Virat Kohli (India) – 6,771 runs
Litton Das (Bangladesh) – 6,763 runs
Babar has also equaled Australian batsman Steve Smith’s record in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) during the second Test against Bangladesh.
Babar, who brought up his 31st career Test half-century, became the third-highest half-century scorer in WTC history, along with Smith and England’s Zak Crawley.
The right-handed batsman registered his 20th fifty in the WTC in his 39 Tests, moving into joint third on the all-time list.
England veteran Joe Root is second with 22 half-centuries, while Australian Marnus Labuschagne leads the list with 24 fifties.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second and final Test, extending their lead over Pakistan at the end of day two’s play.
Batting in their second innings, the hosts ended day two on 110-3 in 26.4 overs, with a lead of 156 runs. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on the 13th while Mominul Haque was dismissed on the final delivery of the day’s play.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in 57.4 overs in their first innings, giving the hosts a 46-run lead.
