From Babar Azam to Virat Kohli, know the fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals

Pakistan cricket team duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan share the record for the fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals.

Having made his T20I debut against England at Old Trafford in 2016, Babar Azam completed 2000 runs in cricket’s shortest format in just 52 innings. The Pakistan cricket team captain achieved this incredible milestone during the third T20I against Zimbabwe in his 54th T20 international in 2021. 

Batting at number three, the right-handed batter scored 52 runs off 46 balls to help Pakistan post 165/3 in their allotted 20 overs in Harare. In reply, hosts Zimbabwe could only manage 141/7 in their 20 overs as Pakistan secured a 24-run win to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1.

Meanwhile, Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan equalled his teammate Babar Azam’s record for being the fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals. Rizwan also took 52 innings to reach the feat during the first T20I against England in Karachi in 2022.

Playing his 63rd T20 international, Rizwan scored a 46-ball 68 while opening the innings against England at the National Stadium.

The Peshawar-born cricketer made his T20I debut against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in 2015.

India’s star batter Virat Kohli is third on the fastest to 2000 runs in T20Is list. The former India captain took just 56 innings to reach 2000 runs in T20I cricket. Kohli achieved the milestone during his 60th T20 international while playing against hosts England in Manchester in 2018.

India’s KL Rahul and Aaron Finch of Australia complete the top five list. India’s T20I opening batter Rahul reached 2000 T20I runs in 58 innings during the opening match of the three-match series against Australia in Mohali in 2022. While playing his 62nd T20I, Rahul played an impressive 55-run knock-off of just 35 balls, laced with four fours and three maximums. 

On the other hand, Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch completed 2000 T20I runs in 62 innings during a match against arch-rivals England in Southampton in 2020.

Interestingly, former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum was the first cricketer to reach 2000 T20I runs in 2014. Playing his 67th T20 international against the Netherlands in Chattogram, McCullum achieved the milestone in 66 innings.

Fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals

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Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP