A single run in Karachi created a new chapter of history. Babar Azam, who is considered as Pakistan’s number one batting talent, captain of Peshawar Zalmi, made himself the first player to achieve the record of scoring more than 4,000 runs in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This accomplishment came through a disciplined innings in the game against Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2026 edition. Babar, known for being consistent and disciplined, achieved this feat through more than 100 matches in the league.
He came into the game requiring less than 40 runs and achieved that by hitting just one single at the beginning of his innings. He managed to score 43 runs before being dismissed.
After the game, he addressed comparisons with others and reflected focus rather than celebration, saying, “Let’s end this here. Keep such thoughts to yourself. Stop the comparisons and move on.”
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Top 5 players with most runs in PSL
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | MATCHES | RUNS | BEST SCORE |
| Babar Azam | Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi | 104* | 4004* | 115 |
| Fakhar Zaman | Lahore Qalandars | 100* | 3019* | 115 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Multan Sultans, Rawalpindiz | 98 | 2853 | 110* |
| Rilee Rossouw | Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators | 99 | 2366 | 121 |
| Shoaib Malik | Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators | 93 | 2350 | 73 |
Early criticism and sharp comeback
But this particular occasion was not devoid of pressure. Babar Zaman had been under criticism in the early part of the season due to his inability to close matches. His strike rate and effectiveness had been questioned by some quarters. The noise got even louder following the loss. But he made his statement on the pitch. This was after he hit an unbeaten 87 in a match earlier on. He then went ahead to make history in this particular innings. It is noteworthy that Babar has become the quickest to score 12,000 T20 runs. The turnaround was quick and clear.
On the other hand, his statistics in the Pakistan Super League continue to be unparalleled. Today, Babar holds more than 4,000 runs in PSL, leaving Fakhar Zaman behind him as the second most run-scorer in PSL with just over 3,000 runs. The third is Mohammad Rizwan. This gap highlights Babar’s consistency across seasons and teams, including Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and now Peshawar Zalmi.
Moreover, his career has many half-centuries and centuries that prove his skill in playing an innings anchor. Such partnerships as the one with Kusal Mendis in which he made 100-plus runs keep on making the difference. Although he failed to make a fifty, his contribution to this game cannot be ignored.
To sum up, this game was not only about numbers but also about control and reaction under pressure. Babar Ali did not run after the record. On the contrary, he won his place among the greats quietly.
