Babar Azam Completes 2,000 WTC Runs as Captain, Becomes Third-Fastest To Achieve Feat
Pakistan captain Babar Azam made history on September 11, 2026, becoming the fourth captain globally and the second Asian to score 2,000 runs in the World Test Championship. He achieved this remarkable milestone in just 41 innings during the third Test against England at Edgbaston, making him the third-fastest captain to reach the feat.
Pakistan's star batter and captain, Babar Azam, wrote his name into the World Test Championship (WTC) record books on Friday, September 11, 2026, by surpassing the 2,000-run mark as a skipper. His significant achievement came during a resilient knock of 76 runs off 103 balls in Pakistan's second innings of the third Test against England at Edgbaston. Pakistan vs England Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast in India, 3rd Test 2026, Day 4.
Azam's milestone innings, which included 11 boundaries and a towering six, propelled his WTC captaincy tally to 2,015 runs. He now joins an exclusive club of just four captains worldwide to have achieved this feat, demonstrating his consistent prowess at the helm of the Test team.
Elite Company
Babar Azam is the second Asian captain, after Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne, to cross the 2,000-run threshold in the WTC. The other esteemed members of this elite group are England's former captain Joe Root and current skipper Ben Stokes.
What makes Azam's accomplishment particularly noteworthy is his speed in reaching the landmark. Completing 2,000 WTC runs as captain in just 41 innings, he stands as the third-fastest to do so. Only Joe Root and Dimuth Karunaratne reached the milestone quicker, both achieving it in a remarkable 40 innings.
Most Runs as Captain in World Test Championship
| Player | Country | Runs | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 3060 | 66 |
| Ben Stokes | England | 2182 | 71 |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | Sri Lanka | 2160 | 45 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 2015 | 41 |
| Kraigg Brathwaite | West Indies | 1994 | 64 |
*Figures as of September 11, 2026
Fastest to 2,000 WTC Runs as Captain (by Innings)
- Joe Root (England): 40 innings
- Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): 40 innings
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 41 innings
- Ben Stokes (England): 61 innings Babar Azam Gifts Bat Signed By Pakistan Cricket Team to King Charles During Clarence House Visit.
Match Context
The milestone came amidst a challenging third Test for Pakistan against England. Despite Azam's individual brilliance, Pakistan found themselves fighting to stave off a series defeat, having lost the opening two matches. His innings of 76 was a crucial component of Pakistan's efforts to mount a fightback in their second innings after being bowled out cheaply in their first.
Babar Azam's sustained form and leadership with the bat continue to be a highlight for Pakistan, even as the team navigates testing conditions in the World Test Championship.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2026 05:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).