Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan delivered another commanding performance at the T20 World Cup 2026, breaking a long-standing record set by Virat Kohli. The milestone came during a crucial clash against Sri Lanka, where a semifinal spot was at stake.
Farhan entered the match in excellent form. However, he needed just a few runs to surpass Kohli’s record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. He achieved the landmark in style, smashing a boundary in the sixth over to move past the previous tally of 319 runs set in 2014.
A Historic Achievement
With this innings, Farhan now tops the list for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. He has accumulated 323 unbeaten runs so far in the 2026 tournament.
Notably, his campaign includes one century and two half-centuries. Therefore, his consistency has powered Pakistan’s strong run in the competition. His ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate has stood out throughout the tournament.
Breaking Kohli’s record adds further weight to Farhan’s remarkable rise. Kohli’s 319 runs in the 2014 edition had remained the benchmark for over a decade. However, Farhan has now etched his name into T20 World Cup history.
Most Runs in a Single T20 World Cup Edition
Here is the updated list of top run-scorers in a single edition:
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323* – Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan (2026)
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319 – Virat Kohli, India (2014)
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317 – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sri Lanka (2009)
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303 – Babar Azam, Pakistan (2021)
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302 – Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka (2010)
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296 – Virat Kohli, India (2022)
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295 – Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh (2016)
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289 – David Warner, Australia (2021)
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281 – Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan (2021)
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281 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan (2024)
This list reflects the dominance of elite batters across different eras. Nevertheless, Farhan’s achievement stands out because it came in high-pressure matches.
Impact on Pakistan’s Campaign
Pakistan needed a strong performance against Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Farhan responded with composure and aggression. As a result, he not only guided the innings but also lifted team morale.
His record-breaking run demonstrates both temperament and technique. Moreover, it highlights Pakistan’s batting depth in the current edition.
As the tournament progresses, Farhan may extend his tally further. If he maintains his form, the new benchmark could become even more difficult to surpass in future editions.
For now, however, the spotlight firmly belongs to Sahibzada Farhan. He has rewritten the record books and delivered one of the most memorable batting campaigns in T20 World Cup history.
