Sylhet, May 17, 2026: Pakistan batter Babar Azam has achieved a historic milestone in international cricket, becoming the first player to surpass 9,000 international runs in the 2020s during the second Test against Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Babar reached the landmark after scoring a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries, including 10 boundaries, in Pakistan’s first innings. The innings marked another milestone in a decade defined by consistency across formats.
He achieved the feat in his 212th international appearance of the decade, with a record that includes 17 centuries and 67 half-centuries at an average of 42.53.
England’s Joe Root stands second on the decade list with 8,305 runs, while Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is third with 7,779 runs.
Other leading run-scorers in the 2020s include Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, India’s Virat Kohli, and Bangladesh’s Litton Das.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 232 runs in their first innings, taking a 46-run lead after scoring 278 in their own innings.
Resuming at 206 for 8, Pakistan’s lower order briefly resisted before being dismissed in quick succession, with Bangladesh’s attack once again proving decisive.
Fast bowler Nahid Rana and spinner Taijul Islam led the bowling effort with three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece in a disciplined performance.
Pakistan had earlier struggled after being put under pressure early in the innings. Openers Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais fell cheaply as the team slipped to 23 for 2.
Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam briefly steadied the innings with a 38-run partnership before Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke through.
Saud Shakeel’s dismissal for eight added further pressure, although Babar anchored the innings with a composed half-century.
A key 63-run stand between Babar and Salman Ali Agha offered resistance after lunch, but the partnership ended when Nahid Rana dismissed the Pakistan star batter for 68.
Despite late contributions from Sajid Khan and Khurram Shahzad, Pakistan were eventually bowled out shortly after crossing the 200-run mark, allowing Bangladesh to maintain control of the match.
