Most Runs in T20I Cricket History: All-Time List

The highest run-scorer in men's T20I cricket history is Babar Azam of Pakistan, with 4,596 runs. Babar passed Rohit Sharma's previous record during Pakistan's home T20I series against South Africa in Lahore, when he needed just nine runs to go past Rohit's tally and finished unbeaten on 11 in a nine-wicket win. Rohit, who retired from T20Is after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, had held the record for several years.

This list covers men's T20Is only, and it is date-stamped to October 2026, because active players keep adding to the

ir totals. The headline totals below come from September and October 2026 reports, with the full 3,000-run club based on statistics updated to August 2026. If you read this list after a busy T20I series, check the latest ESPNcricinfo figures, because Babar, Jos Buttler and Paul Stirling are still playing, and their totals move with every series.

The Top Four: Babar, Buttler, Rohit and Kohli

Babar Azam leads with 4,596 runs in 145 matches and 136 innings, at an average of 38.94 and a strike rate of 128.02, with three hundreds and 39 fifties. His highest score is 122. Babar's batting is built on timing and placement rather than brute power, and his average is the highest among the top four, which explains why he has stayed at the top even while other batters have scored faster.

Second is Jos Buttler of England, with 4,384 runs in 163 matches, with two hundred and thirty fifties. Buttler climbed to second place in September 2026, during England's T20I series against Sri Lanka, when an innings of 80 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton took him past Rohit. Buttler's strike rate, close to 149, is the highest among the top four, which reflects his role as one of England's most destructive white-ball batters.

Third is Rohit Sharma, retired with 4,231 runs in 159 matches and 151 innings, at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89, with five hundred and thirty-fifty fifties. Rohit remains the only player with five T20I hundreds, a record that still stands. His highest score is 121 not out.

Fourth is Virat Kohli, retired with 4,188 runs in 125 matches and 117 innings, at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, with one hundred and thirty-eight fifties. Kohli's average is the best on this list by a clear margin, and he reached 4,188 runs in far fewer innings than the three players above him. His highest score is 122 not out, scored against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup.

Full List: Every Batter With 3,000 or More T20I Runs

1. Babar Azam, Pakistan, 4,596 runs, 145 matches, 136 innings, average 38.94, strike rate 128.02
2. Jos Buttler, England, 4,384 runs, 163 matches, two hundred, 30 fifties
3. Rohit Sharma, India, 4,231 runs, 159 matches, 151 innings, average 32.05, strike rate 140.89
4. Virat Kohli, India, 4,188 runs, 125 matches, 117 innings, average 48.69, strike rate 137.04
5. Paul Stirling, Ireland, 3,895 runs, 163 matches, 160 innings, average 26.31, strike rate 134.35
6. Martin Guptill, New Zealand, 3,531 runs, 122 matches, 118 innings, average 31.81, strike rate 135.70
7. Virandeep Singh, Malaysia, 3,515 runs, 126 matches, one hundred twenty-four fifties
8. Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan, 3,414 runs, 106 matches, 93 innings, average 47.41, strike rate 125.37
9. Muhammad Waseem, United Arab Emirates, 3,371 runs, 99 matches, 99 innings, average 36.24, strike rate 150.96
10. David Warner, Australia, 3,277 runs, 110 matches, 110 innings, average 33.43, strike rate 142.47
11. Suryakumar Yadav, India, 3,272 runs, 113 matches, 107 innings, average 36.35, strike rate 162.94
12. Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe, 3,144 runs, 139 matches, 134 innings, average 25.77, strike rate 136.81
13. Aaron Finch, Australia, 3,120 runs, 103 matches, 103 innings, average 34.28, strike rate 142.53
14. Quinton de Kock, South Africa, 3,095 runs, 110 matches, 109 innings, average 30.95, strike rate 142.23
15. Syed Aziz, Malaysia, 3,027 runs, 128 matches, 119 innings, average 30.27, strike rate 139.94

What the List Tells You About T20I Batting

The first thing this list tells you is that longevity matters as much as talent. Babar, Buttler, Rohit, Kohli, Stirling and Guptill have all played more than 120 T20Is, and that volume is what turns a great batter into an all-time run-scorer. A batter who plays only 50 T20Is, however brilliantly, cannot reach 3,000 runs.

The second thing is that strike rate and average tell different stories. Kohli's average of 48.69 is the best on the list, but his strike rate of 137.04 is lower than Buttler's 149, Suryakumar Yadav's 162.94, and Muhammad Waseem's 150.96. Suryakumar's strike rate is the highest in the 3,000-run club, which is why he is often called the most dangerous T20I batter of his generation, even though his total of 3,272 runs is eleventh on the list. In T20 cricket, tempo matters as much as volume.

The third thing is the rise of Associate Nation batters. Virandeep Singh of Malaysia became the first player from an Associate Nation to pass 3,500 T20I runs during a knock of 32 against Hong Kong in the Asian Games in September 2026. Muhammad Waseem of the United Arab Emirates and Syed Aziz of Malaysia are also in the 3,000-run club. That reflects the expansion of T20I status to all ICC members since 2019, which has given Associate players far more T20I matches than previous generations had.

Who Could Change This List Next?

Babar Azam is still active, so the record is not frozen. Every series Pakistan play gives him a chance to extend his lead, and Buttler is the most likely challenger because he is still playing for England and is only 212 runs behind Babar. If Buttler has a strong series, the gap could close quickly.

Rohit and Kohli will not add to their totals, because both retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their places on the list are fixed, which means Buttler has already passed both of them, and Paul Stirling, who is still active for Ireland, could eventually pass Kohli as well, although he needs 293 more runs to do so.

For fans following T20I records through score apps and fan pages, Cribet is often mentioned as one companion source alongside official match coverage, but all-time totals should always be checked against ESPNcricinfo, because active players' figures change after every series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has scored the most runs in T20I cricket history?

Babar Azam of Pakistan, with 4,596 runs in 145 matches, at an average of 38.94, with three hundred and thirty-nine fifties, as of October 2026.

Who is second on the all-time T20I runs list?

Jos Buttler of England, with 4,384 runs in 163 matches, after passing Rohit Sharma in September 2026.

How many runs did Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli score in T20Is?

Rohit Sharma scored 4,231 runs in 159 matches, with five hundred, the most by any player. Virat Kohli scored 4,188 runs in 125 matches, at an average of 48.69, the best average on the list. Both retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup.

How many players have scored 3,000 or more T20I runs?

Fifteen players, as of August 2026, led by Babar Azam and including three Associate Nation batters: Virandeep Singh of Malaysia, Muhammad Waseem of the United Arab Emirates, and Syed Aziz of Malaysia.

Who has the highest strike rate in the 3,000-run club?

Suryakumar Yadav of India, with a strike rate of 162.94, ahead of Muhammad Waseem at 150.96 and Jos Buttler at close to 149.