Babar Azam Leads International Run-Scoring Decade: Kohli Falls Behind
The Rise of Babar Azam: A New Decade of Dominance
In the evolving landscape of international cricket, few players have demonstrated the consistency and appetite for runs quite like Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Returning to the side for the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet, the 31-year-old showcased his class under pressure. After being sidelined for the opening Test in Mirpur, Babar wasted no time, anchoring the Pakistani innings with a stylish 68 from 84 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries.
This performance was more than just a salvage mission for Pakistan, who had slipped to a precarious 79-4. It served as a reminder of his technical prowess and his ability to hold the batting lineup together. Crucially, this innings propelled him past a monumental career milestone, officially making him the first player to scale 9,000 international runs in this decade.
The Numbers Behind the Success
Since the dawn of 2020, Babar Azam has been a constant presence in the Pakistan setup across all three formats. Having participated in 212 matches and 231 innings, his accumulation of 9,060 runs at an impressive average of 42.53 underscores his elite standing. Perhaps most telling is his conversion rate; he has notched up 17 international centuries in this timeframe, a tally bettered only by Joe Root and Shubman Gill.
Babar’s ability to thrive in varying conditions against diverse bowling attacks has solidified his position at the summit of the run-scoring charts. While other luminaries of the game have experienced dips in form or reduced workloads, the Pakistani captain has remained a central pillar for his nation.
The Changing of the Guard: Kohli’s Current Standing
For years, the cricketing world engaged in the perennial debate comparing Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli. However, the data for the current decade presents a starkly different picture. While Kohli dominated the 2010s with an extraordinary 20,960 runs—maintaining an average of 57.58 and scoring 69 centuries—his output since 2020 has seen a shift. Currently, Kohli sits in sixth place on the list of leading run-scorers this decade, with 6,873 runs from 198 innings.
This shift is partly attributed to the legendary Indian batter’s changing role. Having retired from T20Is in mid-2024 and subsequently stepping away from Test cricket, Kohli’s focus has narrowed. Consequently, he no longer features in the top five of this specific metric, a testament to just how rapidly the game and the players’ participation levels have changed.
A Look at the Match Context in Sylhet
While the broader statistical landscape remains a point of intense fan discussion, the immediate reality for Babar Azam and his team remains the second Test against Bangladesh. Despite Babar’s efforts in the first innings, Pakistan was bundled out for 232 in 57.4 overs. The Bangladeshi bowling attack, led by Nahid Rana (3-60) and Taijul Islam (3-67), proved highly effective in exploiting the conditions.
Bangladesh secured a 46-run lead, a significant advantage in what has been a low-scoring and hard-fought series decider. As the match progressed, Bangladesh’s top order looked comfortable, with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy contributing a well-compiled 52 to push the lead past the 100-run mark by the close of play on Day 2.
Conclusion
As the curtains close on the first half of the 2020s, the stats suggest that Babar Azam is currently the most prolific force in international cricket. While Virat Kohli remains a monumental figure whose legacy in the previous decade is untouchable, the current race belongs to the Pakistani ace. Whether Babar can continue this momentum in the coming years remains the key question for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. One thing is certain: his dedication to the crease and his contribution to Pakistan’s cause remains unparalleled in this era.
