Sahibzada Farhan inches closer to Babar Azam's record after equalling Virat Kohli

LAHORE: Multan Sultans opening batter Sahibzada Farhan produced a match-winning century in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Wednesday, equalling a record held by Indian veteran Virat Kohli and moving closer to Babar Azam’s tally of centuries in T20 cricket.

Farhan remained unbeaten with a breathtaking 106 off just 57 deliveries in the PSL 11 clash against the Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium. 

His innings, studded with eight sixes and seven fours, marked his ninth century in T20 cricket, achieved in his 166th appearance.

With this knock, Farhan drew level with Kohli on the list of batters with the most centuries in the format and now occupies joint-sixth position. He also narrowed the gap to Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who sits second on the all-time list with 11 hundreds.

South African batter Rilee Rossouw also has nine centuries to his name, achieved in 393 games, while former Australian opener and current Karachi Kings captain David Warner is in fourth place with ten tons.

The record for the most centuries in T20 cricket is held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who amassed a remarkable 22 hundreds in 463 matches.

Most centuries in T20 cricket:

• Chris Gayle — 22
• Babar Azam — 11
• David Warner — 10
• Rilee Rossouw — 9
• Virat Kohli — 9
• Sahibzada Farhan — 9
• Abhishek Sharma — 8
• Michael Klinger — 8

Earlier in the match, the newly formed Kingsmen opted to bat first and posted a formidable total of 225 for five in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by half-centuries from opener Maaz Sadaqat and the experienced Sharjeel Khan.

Maaz top-scored with a blistering 62 off just 26 deliveries, while Sharjeel remained unbeaten on 51, facing an equal number of balls.

For the Sultans, Mohammad Wasim Jr was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets for 37 runs in his four overs. Mohammad Nawaz, Peter Siddle, and captain Ashton Turner took one wicket apiece.

Chasing a daunting target of 226 runs, the Sultans reached victory with four wickets down and eight balls to spare, spearheaded by Farhan’s unbeaten century.

He anchored the successful pursuit with a scintillating knock, finding valuable support from opening partner Steve Smith (46) and vice-captain Shan Masood (29). Farhan then guided the former champions home alongside Arafat Minhas, who contributed an unbeaten 26 from just 11 balls.

Saim Ayub was the most successful bowler for the Kingsmen, taking two wickets, though he proved expensive, conceding 43 runs in his three overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Hassan Khan claimed one wicket each.