Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam has made history by becoming the first player to secure the title of leading run-scorer thrice in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The 29-year-old amassed an impressive 569 runs in 11 matches during the ninth edition of the PSL, clinching the prestigious Hanif Mohammad Cap for the highest run-scorer.
This achievement marks the second-best batting performance in a single season of the renowned T20 competition, with Babar’s teammate Fakhar Zaman holding the top spot for his 588 runs in the 2022 PSL season.
With this feat, Babar now holds the record for winning the Hanif Mohammad Cap three times in his PSL career, a milestone unmatched by any other player. Prior to his stellar performance in 2024, the right-handed batsman claimed the top scorer title in consecutive seasons – 2020 and 2021, representing Karachi Kings.
Babar’s standout performance in PSL 9 included a remarkable unbeaten 111* off just 63 deliveries against eventual champions Islamabad United in Lahore. This knock showcased his prowess, featuring 14 boundaries and two maximums. His tally of 11 centuries in T20 cricket places him in an elite club, with only Chris Gayle having surpassed the 10-century mark in this format.
Furthermore, scoring over 500 runs in a single PSL season is a rare accomplishment, achieved by only three batsmen: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman. While Babar and Rizwan have achieved this feat three times each, Fakhar has accomplished it once.