Babar Azam, the celebrated Pakistani batter, achieved a significant milestone on May 17, 2026, during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Azam became the first cricketer to surpass 9,000 international runs in the 2020s, marking a remarkable achievement in his illustrious career.
During the match, Azam scored a resilient 68 off 84 balls, including 10 boundaries, which took him to this landmark in his 212th international appearance of the decade. His career in this period boasts 67 half-centuries and 17 centuries, with an average of 42.53, underscoring his consistency across formats.
The list of top run-scorers in the current decade sees England’s Joe Root in second place with 8,305 runs in 120 matches, followed by Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan with 7,779 runs in 199 matches. Azam’s accomplishment further solidifies his status among cricket’s elite.
In addition to this achievement, Azam equaled Australian Steve Smith’s record in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) by registering his 20th half-century in the WTC in his 39th Test. This places him in joint third position for the most half-centuries in WTC history, alongside England’s Zak Crawley.
As the Test progressed, Bangladesh tightened their control over the match, ending day two with a 156-run lead. Pakistan was bowled out for 232 in their first innings, giving the hosts a 46-run advantage. The outcome of this Test could have significant implications for both teams in the ongoing series.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 18, 2026
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