Karachi, February 22, 2024 – In a display of unmatched cricketing prowess, Babar Azam, the internationally acclaimed top-ranked batsman and former captain of the national cricket team, has not only taken charge of Peshawar Zalmi but has also etched his name in history by becoming the first player to surpass 3000 runs in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
As the ninth season of the PSL unfolds, Babar Azam has emerged as the frontrunner in the race for the most runs, showcasing his exceptional skills and leading from the front. The milestone was achieved during his debut match of the season against Quetta Gladiators, where Azam scored a brilliant 68 runs off 42 balls, including four sixes. He continued his impressive form in the match against Lahore Qalandars, where he added 72 runs to his tally.
Before the commencement of the current season, Babar Azam had accumulated 2935 runs across eight seasons from 2016 to 2023, displaying consistency and excellence in his batting performances. Playing for Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and now Peshawar Zalmi, Azam has batted in 77 innings out of 79 matches, with his highest individual score during this period being 115 runs.
In the ongoing PSL Season 9, Babar Azam has set the bar high by accumulating 140 runs individually across two matches. His initial match on February 18 in Lahore saw him score 68 runs, and he followed it up with a remarkable performance on February 21, notching 72 runs – his highest score this season so far.
Multan Sultans’ South African player, Reeza Raphael Hendricks, is currently holding the second position on the run chart with 137 runs in two matches, boasting a highest individual score of 79 not out. Lahore Qalandars’ Sahibzada Farhan secured the third spot with 119 runs, while Agha Salman of Islamabad United and Saud Shakeel of Quetta Gladiators claimed the fourth and fifth positions with 116 and 114 runs, respectively.
Babar Azam’s dominance in the PSL is not limited to the current season. His name stands at the top among batsmen with the highest number of runs in the league across the eight seasons from 2016 to 2023. Fakhar Zaman of Lahore Qalandars closely follows him, having played 76 matches with 2368 runs to his name, and a highest score of 115 runs.
As Babar Azam continues to lead the run chart in the ongoing PSL Season 9, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more stellar performances from the maestro, anticipating further records to be shattered in the course of the tournament.
