Babar Azam Creates History: First PSL Batter to Reach 4,000 Runs

The king of Pakistan Super League batting has done it again. Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has become the first player in the history of the Pakistan Super League to score 4,000 career runs.

The historic moment unfolded on Saturday during PSL 11 clash between Peshawar Zalmi and defending champions Lahore Qalandars at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. And honestly, it felt inevitable.

Coming into the match, the 31-year-old needed just 39 runs to reach the magical four-thousand mark. He got there in typical Babar fashion, not with a booming six or a flashy boundary, but with a calm, composed single off Usama Mir on the first ball of the 14th over. The stadium erupted. Not because of how he got there, but because everyone knew what it meant.

The Numbers That Define a Legend

Let us put this achievement into perspective. Babar reached the 4,000-run milestone in his 104th PSL match and 102nd innings. Here is how far ahead he is from everyone else.

Rank	Player	Team(s)	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Babar Azam	IU, KK, PZ	104	4,004	45.50	127.92
2	Fakhar Zaman	LQ	100	3,018	30.79	141.82
3	Mohammad Rizwan	KK, LQ, MS	98	2,853	40.75	128.80
4	Rilee Rossouw	MS, QG	99	2,366	31.54	144.70
5	Shoaib Malik	KK, MS, PZ, QG	93	2,350	33.09	127.78

Stats as of April 11, 2026

Babar's PSL Milestones

Most runs in a single PSL season: 473 (2020), 554 (2021), 565 (2024)
37 half-centuries and 2 centuries in the league
4,004 runs from 442 fours and 69 sixes
Player of the Tournament in 2020 when he led Karachi Kings to their only PSL title

The 12,000 T20 Runs Record: Breaking Gayle and Kohli's Marks

Just 24 hours before his PSL heroics, Babar had already sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. On Thursday night, during Peshawar Zalmi's match against Karachi Kings, Babar became the fastest player in history to reach 12,000 T20 runs.

Player	Innings to 12,000 T20 Runs
Babar Azam	338
Chris Gayle	343
Virat Kohli	360

He reached the milestone in just 338 innings, five fewer than the Universe Boss Chris Gayle and a massive 22 fewer than Virat Kohli. Babar is also the fastest batter to reach 7,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in T20 cricket. He is now only the second Pakistani after Shoaib Malik to cross the 12,000-run mark in the format.

The Kohli Comparison: Settled on the Field

The timing of these records is almost poetic. Just a day before smashing the 12,000-run record, Babar faced a pointed question from a journalist during a press conference. The journalist asked about expectations, carrying the innings without finishing games, and the constant comparison to Virat Kohli.

Babar's response was sharp and confident: "It is your misconception that I haven't finished matches. Keep such thoughts to yourself."

And then, he went out and smashed an unbeaten 87 off 51 balls against Karachi Kings at a strike rate of 170.6. He anchored a record 191-run partnership with Kusal Mendis as Peshawar Zalmi posted a massive 246 for 3, the highest total ever at the National Bank Stadium. Karachi Kings were bowled out for just 87 in response. Zalmi won by 159 runs. Message received.

The Match Itself: How Babar Got to 4,000

Let us rewind to Saturday's match against Lahore Qalandars. The defending champions won the toss and elected to bowl first. Early in Zalmi's innings, Babar faced a heart-stopping moment. A sharp bouncer from Ubaid Shah crashed into his helmet. The physio rushed out. A concussion test followed. But Babar, as he always does, shook it off and continued.

After opener Mohammad Haris fell for 18 off 10 balls to Shaheen Afridi, Babar joined forces with Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis. What followed was a masterclass in partnership batting. The duo added 109 runs from just 79 balls for the second wicket. Mendis played the aggressor, smashing 74 runs off 48 balls with five fours and four sixes. Babar played the anchor, calm, composed, and oh-so-reliable.

Babar needed 39 runs to reach 4,000 at the start of his innings. He got there on the first ball of the 14th over, taking a single off Usama Mir. The crowd at the National Bank Stadium rose to applaud. His teammates clapped from the dugout. History had been made. Unfortunately, Babar could not convert his innings into a half-century. Two balls into the 16th over, Usama Mir had the last laugh, dismissing the Zalmi captain for 43 off 40 deliveries. His knock included three fours and one six. Peshawar Zalmi finished their innings at 173 for 7 in 20 overs.

Babar's PSL Journey: From Islamabad United to Peshawar Zalmi

2016: Started with Islamabad United, won inaugural PSL title
2017-2022: Moved to Karachi Kings, became face of the franchise
2020: Captained Karachi Kings to their only PSL title, highest run-scorer (473 runs), Player of the Tournament
2023: Traded to Peshawar Zalmi in high-profile swap, took over captaincy
2024: Topped PSL run charts again with 565 runs
2026: Became first batter to reach 4,000 PSL runs

The Season So Far: Babar in PSL 11

Babar's form in the ongoing PSL 11 season has been exceptional with 212 runs in just 4 innings at an average of 70.66 and a strike rate of 135.89. He is currently the third-leading run-scorer of the season. The two batters ahead of him are his own teammate Kusal Mendis and Quetta Gladiators' Rilee Rossouw. But with plenty of matches remaining, do not be surprised if Babar climbs to the top of that list too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many runs does Babar Azam have in PSL now?

As of April 11, 2026, Babar Azam has 4,004 runs in 104 PSL matches at an average of 45.50.

Who is the second-highest run-scorer in PSL history?

Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman is second with 3,018 runs in 100 matches.

How many centuries does Babar have in PSL?

Babar has 2 centuries in the Pakistan Super League, along with 37 half-centuries.

When did Babar Azam reach 4,000 PSL runs?

He reached the milestone on April 11, 2026, during PSL 11 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

What other records did Babar break this week?

Just one day before his 4,000 PSL runs milestone, Babar became the fastest player to score 12,000 T20 runs, reaching the mark in 338 innings, faster than Chris Gayle (343) and Virat Kohli (360).

Which teams has Babar played for in PSL?

Babar has played for Islamabad United (2016), Karachi Kings (2017-2022), and Peshawar Zalmi (2023-present).

Did Babar win the PSL as captain?

Yes. Babar captained Karachi Kings to their only PSL title in 2020. He was also the highest run-scorer that season with 473 runs and was named Player of the Tournament.

The Bottom Line

History was made at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Saturday. Babar Azam became the first batter to score 4,000 runs in PSL history. He did it in his 104th match, with his 37th half-century, in his own calm and composed style.

And here is the thing. He is not done. At 31 years old, Babar likely has several more PSL seasons ahead of him. The 5,000-run mark is not a matter of if, but when.

For now, let us appreciate what we are witnessing. We are watching a legend in his prime. We are watching history unfold.

Babar Azam. 4,000 PSL runs. First. Forever.