Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam had a day of dramatic highs and lows during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday. While he reached a historic career milestone, he also gave fans a massive scare after being struck by a dangerous delivery.
The Scare: Nasty Bouncer from Ubaid Shah
During Zalmi’s clash against Lahore Qalandars, Babar was struck on the neck by a sharp, rising bouncer from young pacer Ubaid Shah.
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The Impact: The force of the blow forced Babar to sit on the ground immediately as the medical team rushed out.
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The Outcome: Fortunately, after a brief assessment, the star batter was able to continue his innings, showing remarkable resilience to finish the game.
The Record: Fastest to 12,000 T20 Runs
Earlier in the tournament, during a match against Karachi Kings, Babar etched his name into the record books.
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Fastest Ever: He became the fastest player in history to reach 12,000 T20 runs, achieving the feat in just 338 innings.
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Surpassing Legends: He broke the record previously held by Chris Gayle (343 innings). Virat Kohli remains third on this elite list (360 innings).
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National Milestone: Babar is now only the second Pakistani batter to cross this threshold, following veteran Shoaib Malik.
Match Performance: A Batting Masterclass
Despite the physical toll of the tournament, Babar’s form has been imperious:
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Score: 87* off 51 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes).
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The Partnership: He shared a massive 191-run stand with Kusal Mendis, propelling Peshawar Zalmi to a mammoth 246/3.
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Result: Zalmi secured a dominant victory as Karachi Kings were bundled out for just 87, thanks to a three-wicket haul each from Iftikhar Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
Fastest Players to 12,000 T20 Runs
| Player | Innings Taken |
| Babar Azam | 338 |
| Chris Gayle | 343 |
| Virat Kohli | 360 |
Babar’s latest performance reinforces his status as a T20 powerhouse as he continues his “comeback trail” with Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 2026.
