Virat Kohli's 12-Year-Old T20 World Cup Record in Danger, Sahibzada Farhan Just 37 Runs Away from Historic Feat
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan is all set to create history in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The in form batter has put Virat Kohli's 12-year-old T20 World Cup 2026 record in danger.
Farhan scored 63 runs against England in their Super 8 game, which brought his tournament total to 283. He has scored one century and two half-centuries in five innings. Currently, he is the highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Now, he is just 36 runs away from breaking a long-standing record of Virat Kohli.
Kohli's 319-Run Record Under Threat
Virat Kohli scored 319 runs in one edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2014 and it remains the most runs by a batter in a T20 World Cup edition so far. No player has managed to break this record for the last 12 years.
The Pakistani batter needs to score 37 runs in his next outing to cross 319 and set a new benchmark. In the past, many star batters have come very close but have not been able to break the record.
In 2009, Tillakaratne Dilshan amassed 317 runs, while in 2021, Babar Azam scored 303 runs. Mahela Jayawardene scored 302 in the 2010 tournament, Kohli himself scored 296 runs in 2022, Tamim Iqbal's 295 in 2016 and David Warner's 289 in 2021. Mohammad Rizwan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz managed 281 runs in their respective tournaments in 2021 and 2024.
But, the score of 319 has not been breached so far.
Most Runs in a Single Edition of T20 World Cup
| Runs | Player | Team | Year |
| 319 | Virat Kohli | India | 2014 |
| 317 | Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 2009 |
| 303 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 2021 |
| 302 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 2010 |
| 296 | Virat Kohli | India | 2022 |
| 295 | Tamim Iqbal | Bangladesh | 2016 |
| 289 | David Warner | Australia | 2021 |
| 283 | Sahibzada Farhan | Pakistan | 2026 |
| 281 | Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 2021 |
| 281 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 2024 |
Also Read | India Gains Advantage as Star Player Returns for T20 WC 2026 Super 8 Match vs ZIM
Pakistan's Fate Tied To Farhan's Chances
Pakistan's progression to the semi-finals have been made difficult after their defeat against England in the Super 8 round. They are set to play their last Super 8 fixture against Sri Lanka. To qualify for the semi-finals, Pakistan needs to win the game and also needs New Zealand to lose their both Super 8 fixture.
If Pakistan goes through to the semi-finals, Farhan will have one more opportunity to break the record. But if they get eliminated, the fixture against Sri Lanka could be the last chance of this tournament.
Now all eyes will be on Farhan, will he score the 37 runs to breach Kohli's 319 or will the record still remain untouched.
The T20 World Cup 2026 has reached a very crucial juncture. Pakistan are in a must-win situation, while Farhan is chasing history at the same time.