Pakistani opener Sahibzada Farhan is making waves in the Twenty20 format, thrilling fans with his explosive batting. Despite being dismissed cheaply in his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut, Farhan returned in his second match with a destructive century that not only broke records held by Virat Kohli and Rilee Rossouw but also signalled a challenge to fellow Pakistani captain Babar Azam. His innings proved decisive in securing victory for Multan Sultans.
In Wednesday’s PSL encounter, Hyderabad Kingsmen batted first and posted a formidable total of 225 for 5 in 20 overs. Key contributions included Maz Sadakat, who scored 62 off 26 balls with five fours and five sixes, and Sarzil Khan, who made 51 from 26 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes.
Chasing 226, Multan Sultans secured a commanding win with eight balls remaining and six wickets in hand. Farhan led the charge, producing a masterful unbeaten 106 from 57 balls, featuring seven fours and eight sixes, while Steven Smith added 46 off 20 balls. The innings marked Farhan’s first century in the PSL and his ninth overall in T20 cricket.
Among Pakistani T20 batters, only Babar Azam, with eleven centuries, sits ahead of Farhan. His rise is especially impressive given he has achieved this milestone in just 166 matches, compared to Kohli’s 415 and Rossouw’s 393.
| Player | T20 Centuries | Matches Played | Nationality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | 22 | 407 | West Indies | “Universe Boss”, most T20 centuries |
| Babar Azam | 11 | 261 | Pakistan | Leading Pakistani T20 centurion |
| David Warner | 10 | 333 | Australia | Explosive opener |
| Virat Kohli | 9 | 415 | India | Established T20 star |
| Rilee Rossouw | 9 | 393 | South Africa | Experienced campaigner |
| Sahibzada Farhan | 9 | 166 | Pakistan | Fastest among peers to 9 T20 centuries |
Farhan’s current form echoes his performance in the most recent T20 World Cup, where he scored two centuries in a single tournament and emerged as the highest run-scorer with 383 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 160.25. His ability to dominate big matches has become a trademark, and the PSL is now witnessing him replicate that success.
With his rapid rise, Farhan is not only cementing his reputation as one of Pakistan’s premier T20 batters but also edging closer to Babar Azam’s record. If he continues this trajectory, a new era of Pakistani T20 dominance may be on the horizon.