Shoaib Malik Becomes the First Pakistan Batsman to Scale 2000 T20I Runs

The veteran batsman, Shoaib Malik became the first Pakistan batsman to score 2000 T20I runs.

The experienced right-hander achieved the personal milestone when he scored an unbeaten 37 off just 24 balls in the first match against Zimbabwe. Pakistan ended up with 182 on the board in the first match against the hosts in the T20I tri-series.

Malik required only 11 runs before the game to get to his landmark. Meanwhile, the experienced campaigner became the third overall batsman to complete 2000 T20I runs.

New Zealand former skipper Brendon McCullum was the first to scale 2000 runs in 66 innings.

Furthermore, Martin Guptill became the second batsman to complete 2000 runs in the shortest format of the game.

However, Malik reached his landmark in the 92nd inning. The stylish right-hander had scored seven half-centuries in the format while he hasn’t scored any hundred in the 20-over version.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik is one of Pakistan’s consistent performer. The all-rounder recently also cleared the next year World Cup will be his swansong in the 50-over format. However, he has promised to keep playing the shortest version if he remains fit.

In fact, Malik was not aware that he was close to the landmark of 2000 runs. He had earlier said,

“I had no idea before Scotland T20s how many runs I have scored but only knew I was highest in Pakistan. Its only hard work which is paying off and most importantly runs I’ve scored have majority lead to team’s win.”

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also on the touching distance of the 2000 run-mark in the T20I format.

Both these talisman batsmen will have their opportunity against England in the upcoming series.