Babar Azam marked his return in the PSL with a standout performance as Peshawar Zalmi faced Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday, with the contest turning largely one-sided following his match-defining knock.
Quetta Gladiators posted 154 in their 20 overs after batting first. In response, Zalmi completed the chase in 18.3 overs with nine balls remaining. Babar Azam anchored the innings with 71 off 51 deliveries, including eight boundaries.
Heading into PSL 2026, Babar Azam faced pressure after falling out of contention in T20Is following the T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored 91 runs in four innings. The ongoing PSL season presented an opportunity to regain form, and he has capitalised on it.
So far in the tournament, the 31-year-old has accumulated 287 runs in six innings at an average of 71.75. During this latest innings, he reached his half-century in 37 balls, bringing up a significant milestone in the process.
Babar Joins Elite List with 100 T20 Fifties
Babar Azam completed his 100th T20 fifty during the innings, achieving the feat in his 341st innings. He became the first Pakistani batter to reach this landmark and only the fourth player overall to do so.
He now joins an elite group alongside Virat Kohli, David Warner, and Jos Buttler.
The list of players with the most T20 fifties:
- David Warner – 117
- Virat Kohli – 107
- Jos Buttler – 100
- Babar Azam – 100
Babar narrowly missed becoming the third player to reach the milestone, as Jos Buttler recently achieved the feat during Gujarat Titans’ match against Lucknow Super Giants.
In T20 cricket overall, Babar Azam has scored 12,200 runs in 341 innings at an average of 42.13 and a strike rate of 128.35. His record includes 100 fifties and 11 centuries, taking his tally of 50-plus scores to 111.
First to 4000 PSL Runs
Babar also reached another milestone in the PSL, becoming the first player to score 4000 runs in the competition. He achieved the mark during his 43-run innings against Lahore Qalandars in a previous match.
He has played 102 innings in the PSL, averaging 45.50.
Most Runs in PSL (Avg & SR)
- 4000 – Babar Azam (45/128)
- 3018 – Fakhar Zaman (30/141)
- 2858 – Mohammad Rizwan (40/128)
- 2366 – Rilee Rossouw (31/144)
- 2350 – Shoaib Malik (33/127)
