PSL 2026: Record alert! Babar Azam joins Virat Kohli in elite T20 club during Qualifier 1

The star right-handed batter of Pakistan, Babar Azam, has already celebrated a fine century during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 and continues the same dominance during the first qualifier of the tournament with his second century of the competition for the Peshawar Zalmi. 

Babar Azam’s superb knock of 103 runs off 59 deliveries at a strike rate of 174.58, with the help of 12 boundaries and four sixes, led them to victory against the Islamabad United as Peshawar qualified for the final of the competition.

Babar Azam achieves major milestone to match Virat Kohli in T20 cricket

With this fine form, Babar has become the leading run-getter of the event. The veteran has overall smashed 588 runs in just 10 innings at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 146.26, thanks to two centuries and three half-centuries. They sealed a comprehensive win over the Islamabad side in the qualifier.

Babar anchored the innings as he received solid support from the likes of Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis, and Aaron Hardie, who kept the aggression in the scoring rate from the other end. This was the fourth century of the batter in the PSL history as he has drawn level with Usman Khan for most hundreds in the event.

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On a broader aspect, Babar etched his name in the T20 history by setting a new benchmark for the most centuries scored by a captain in the format. This was the ninth T20 century as a kipper, which has taken him past Faf du Plessis, with whom he had shared the record earlier.

“I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back to my best. I’m trying to keep things simple and trust my skills, and just execute my game according to the situation – what the pitch demands, how to handle different bowlers, and when to attack. The hard work I put in before the PSL is helping now.” The former Pakistan captain expressed that he credited his approach and preparation.

Babar has now matched Virat Kohli and Abhishek Sharma in another category. Babar has now smashed eight centuries in Pakistan, equaling the record for the most centuries by a batter in a single country.

Fans celebrate as Babar enters elite list alongside modern greats

Here is how the fans have celebrated and reacted to Babar joining the elite club-