PAK vs NZ: Mohammad Rizwan smashes Virat Kohli, Babar Azam's fastest 3,000 runs record

Stunning his fellows and fans alike, Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan whizzed past Virat Kohli and Babar Azam's records by scoring the fastest 3,000 runs in T20 International cricket in the second T20I against New Zealand at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Geo Super reported.

Rizwan, 31, completed 3,000 runs in his 79th T20I innings, becoming the fastest player to do so ahead of Kohli and Babar (81 innings each).

While doing so, he also became just the second Pakistani to cross the 3000-run mark in T20I cricket as only Babar (3,712) has accumulated more runs than the 31-year-old for Pakistan.

The 31-year-old wrote his name in the history books with yet another milestone which would be a great confidence booster ahead of the upcoming2024 T20 World Cup.

Rizwan made his T20I debut in 2015 against Bangladesh and became a part of the regular playing XI after the 2019 World Cup.

Fastest to 3000 runs in T20I cricket

Earlier in the first innings, Pakistan’s bowling attack was in top form as they bundled out the entire New Zealand side for 90 runs in 18.1 overs.

The Black Caps were never in the game as they were troubled greatly by the Pakistani pace attack.

Soon in the third over, Shaheen Afridi, known for performing with the new ball, did he what he does best and sent the Black Caps’ opener, Tim Seifert, back to the pavilion for just 12 runs.

After Shaheen, Mohammad Amir, who was playing his first match for Pakistan in almost four years, came to bowl and struck in his first over, removing Tim Robinson for just four runs.

Amir continued to trouble the visitor’s batting lineup as in his second over, he took the wicket of Dean Foxcroft with skipper Babar Azam taking a simple catch.

The Kiwis managed to save wickets for the next two overs but Abrar Ahmed took two quick wickets in the ninth over, sending Mark Chapman and James Neesham back to the pavilion after contributing 19 and one run respectively.

The remaining damage down the order was done by Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah. Only four New Zealand batters managed to score in double digits as Pakistan dominated the night with the ball.

Afridi picked three, while Amir, Abrar and Shadab got two each. Naseem could only bag one.