Rohit Sharma surpassed New Zealand women batter Suzie Bates' on the list of leading run-scorer in T20Is. Against Pakistan, he scored 28 runs in the powerplay overs which helped him get past Bates' tally of runs.
Bates has 3,531 runs from 128 innings at an average of 29.92 including one century and 22 half-centuries. The White Ferns batter's highest score in the format is 124 not out. On the other hand, Rohit has 3,548 runs from 127 innings at an average of 31.96 including four centuries and 27 half-centuries.
Opening the innings for India after Babar Azam won the toss and opted to field first, Rohit scored India off to a blinding start. He scored 28 runs off just 16 deliveries including three fours and two sixes.
The veteran Indian batter shared a 54-run opening partnership with KL Rahul. He got out to Haris Rauf in the last over of the powerplay overs.
It was also his 14th fifty-plus partnership with Rahul, the most by any pair in the format. The duo broke Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling's record of 13 fifty-plus stands. Rohit and Rahul have scored 1,319 runs together whereas the Irish pair's tally is 1,083 runs.
The electrifying start helped India dominate Pakistan fast bowlers early on in the innings. With the help of Virat Kohli’s half-century, India posted 181/7 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Earlier in the tournament, Rohit went past New Zealand opener Martin Guptill's tally of runs to become leading run-scorer in men's T20Is. Guptill has 3,497 runs from 117 innings at an average of 31.79 including two centuries and 20 half-centuries.
He will eye another Guptill record as the tournament progresses. He needs six more sixes to become the leading six-hitter in T20Is. Currently, Rohit has 157 sixes in the format compared to Guptill’s 162.
