Babar Azam Equals Virat Kohli's T20 Record With PSL Hundred

Babar Azam finally ended his long wait for a T20 hundred with a stunning unbeaten century that powered Peshawar Zalmi to 255-3 against Quetta Gladiators in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11).

The Zalmi captain brought up his century on the final ball of the innings, reaching the milestone with a two after a brilliant knock that came off just 52 balls. It was his 12th century in T20 cricket, his third in the PSL and also his fastest hundred in the league.

More importantly for Babar Azam, it was his first T20 century in 67 innings over 783 days.

His innings was packed with control and aggression. He struck six fours and four sixes and played just one dot ball throughout the knock as Quetta’s bowlers struggled to contain him.

Kusal Mendis also played a major role in the carnage with 83 runs as the two batters added 135 runs for the second wicket to put Zalmi in complete control.

That stand also helped Babar equal Virat Kohli’s record for the most century partnerships in T20 cricket. Both batters now have 47 hundred-plus stands in the format. Babar also extended his own record for the most century partnerships in PSL history.

Most 100 partnerships in T20 cricket

100s Player Team 47 Virat Kohli India 47 Babar Azam Pakistan 46 Chris Gayle West Indies 45 David Warner Australia 40 Faf du Plessis South Africa

Zalmi’s 255-3 turned into one of the biggest totals ever seen in the tournament. It is now the third-highest total in PSL history, the highest ever recorded by Peshawar Zalmi and also the highest PSL total at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium.

Only two innings now sit above it on the all-time list: Quetta Gladiators’ 263-3 against Islamabad United in 2025 and Multan Sultans’ 262-3 against Quetta in 2023.

Babar’s century also took him level with Kamran Akmal, Rilee Rossouw and Usman Khan for the most hundreds in PSL history. It also moved him closer to Chris Gayle on the list of most T20 centuries, with Babar now on 12.

Quetta had chosen to field first after winning the toss, but the decision quickly backfired as Zalmi tore into the bowling attack. Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed and Alzarri Joseph picked up one wicket each, but none of them were able to stop the flow of runs.

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