Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik has completed his 2000 runs in T20 International cricket. He has become the third batsman of the world to achieve this position. Malik, 36, achieved this feat in his 99th T20 match.
He made this record during an unbeaten innings of 37 runs in the first match of the T20 triangular series against Zimbabwe here. Malik hit two fours and a six in this match.
Shoaib Malik’s wife Sania Mirza congratulated him on twitter in style
2,000 runs! 🙌@realshoaibmalik becomes just the third man to reach the milestone in T20Is after @Bazmccullum and @Martyguptill! 👏#ZIMvPAK #TriSeries pic.twitter.com/H1tdit6HuJ
— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2018
Malik now has 2026 runs at an average of 31.65 in the T20Is, and now become the third top scorer of the world. New Zealand opener Martin Guptill topped the table with 2271 runs from 75 matches at an average of 34.40. Guptill’s team-mate and former opener Brandon McCullum is in second place with 2140 runs from 71 matches at an average of 35.66.
Top 20 Players with most runs in T20Is
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | Avg |
| M Guptill (NZ) | 2009-2018 | 75 | 73 | 2271 | 34.4 |
| B McCullum (NZ) | 2005-2015 | 71 | 70 | 2140 | 35.66 |
| Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 2006-2018 | 99 | 92 | 2026 | 31.65 |
| V Kohli (IND) | 2010-2018 | 59 | 55 | 1992 | 48.58 |
| R Sharma (IND) | 2007-2018 | 81 | 74 | 1949 | 31.43 |
| Mohammad Shahzad (AFG) | 2010-2018 | 63 | 63 | 1906 | 31.76 |
| T Dilshan (SL) | 2006-2016 | 80 | 79 | 1889 | 28.19 |
| J Duminy (SA) | 2007-2018 | 76 | 70 | 1822 | 37.95 |
| D Warner (AUS) | 2009-2018 | 70 | 70 | 1792 | 26.74 |
| E Morgan (ENG) | 2009-2018 | 73 | 71 | 1693 | 29.7 |
| Umar Akmal (PAK) | 2009-2016 | 82 | 77 | 1690 | 26.82 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 2006-2017 | 78 | 75 | 1672 | 26.12 |
| Mohammad Hafeez (PAK) | 2006-2018 | 82 | 79 | 1665 | 22.5 |
| C Gayle (WI) | 2006-2018 | 56 | 52 | 1607 | 33.47 |
| S Raina (IND) | 2006-2018 | 75 | 65 | 1578 | 29.22 |
| M Samuels (WI) | 2007-2018 | 64 | 62 | 1573 | 30.25 |
| A Hales (ENG) | 2011-2018 | 53 | 53 | 1505 | 32.02 |
| M Jayawardene (SL) | 2006-2014 | 55 | 55 | 1493 | 31.76 |
| Tamim Iqbal (BAN) | 2007-2018 | 69 | 69 | 1490 | 23.28 |
| H Masakadza (ZIM) | 2006-2018 | 53 | 53 | 1467 | 28.76 |
Indian captain Virat Kohli is fourth in the list of batsmen who make the most runs in T20Is. Kohli has scored 1992 runs in 59 matches at an average of 48.58. Indian opener Rohit Sharma is at number five with 1949 runs in 81 matches at an average of 31.43.
Earlier, Shoaib Malik spoke to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media and said that he had no idea that he was approaching the landmark until the Scotland tour. “But I knew that I am the highest run scorer in T20I for Pakistan and I am very proud of it,” Malik said. “I am feeling great but not satisfied because there is a lot to come,” he added.
Remembering his journey so far Malik admitted that he never thought his career would span for so long. “Consistency in hard work and performance is the key to the success and no one should think that he will set any specific record rather just focus on the hard work and he will achieve his goals automatically,” he remarked.
Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 74 runs
Opener Fafar Jamsa (61) half century and Asif Ali’s unbeaten 41-run knock, Pakistan defeated hosts Zimbabwe by 74 runs in the first match of the triangular T20 series here today. After batting first, Pakistan made 182 for four wickets in 20 overs and then bowled out Zimbabwe for 108 runs in 17.5 overs. For Zimbabwe,Tarisai Musakanda scored 43 runs.
