Babar Azam gets past Virat Kohli after fifty against Australia

Babar Azam has crossed Virat Kohli to top the most T20I half-centuries charts after his well-crafted knock against Australia in the third T20I. The right-handed batter now has 39 T20I fifties, the most by any batter, in 139 innings. 

Babar looked in good touch

Batting at the No. 4 spot for only the fourth time, Babar got off the mark with his famed cover drive off Ben Dwarshius and looked in good touch from the get-go. He then dispatched his boogeyman, Adam Zampa, who had dismissed Babar five times in as many games for 31 runs before the third T20I, over mid-wicket.

Although Babar eventually slowed down and went without a boundary in the last ten overs, his unbeaten 50 off 36 balls was still miles ahead of his recent outings in terms of strike rate. This fifty was Babar’s first at the No. 4 spot, where he is expected to bat going forward.

Most half-centuries in men's T20Is

Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 39 in 139 innings

Virat Kohli (India) – 38 in 125 innings

Rohit Sharma (India) – 37 in 159 innings

Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 31 in 106 innings

David Warner (Australia) – 29 in 110 innings

Babar’s knock, combined with the efforts of Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan, along with cameos from Khawaja Nafay and Faheem Ashraf, put Pakistan significantly ahead of Australia. The 207-run target proved too much for Australia, as they were bundled out for just 96 against Pakistan’s bowling.

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Australia tour of Pakistan, 2026 Jan 29 to Feb 01

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February 1, 2026 6:00 pm Result

Pakistan won by 111 runs

Australia

96/10 (16.5)

Pakistan

207/6 (20)

January 31, 2026 6:00 pm Result

Pakistan won by 90 runs

Australia

108/10 (15.4)

Pakistan

198/5 (20)

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