Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam etched his name further into T20 history on Thursday, equalling former England skipper Jos Buttler’s record of 97 T20 half-centuries during Sydney Sixers’ Big Bash League (BBL) 15 clash against Melbourne Renegades at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium.

Babar produced a composed, match-winning knock of 58 not out off 46 balls, striking four boundaries and a six over extra cover, as the Sixers chased down a target of 165 with six wickets in hand.

The 31-year-old, who also holds the record for the most T20 International runs, reached this milestone in his 333rd T20 appearance, which includes 11 centuries. Buttler reached the same mark in 476 matches, compiling eight centuries.

With this innings, Babar became the joint third-highest player in terms of half-centuries in T20 cricket. Australia’s David Warner leads the list with 113 fifties, followed by India’s Virat Kohli with 105.

Earlier, batting first, Melbourne Renegades posted 164/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Sean Abbott starred with the ball for the Sixers, returning figures of 16/3 from four overs, which also earned him the Man of the Match award.

Opener Josh Brown top-scored for the Renegades with a brisk 43 off 19 balls, smashing three fours and four sixes. Jake Fraser-McGurk contributed 38 off 29 deliveries, while Hassan Khan added 39 off 29 balls, including three sixes. Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan once again fell cheaply, managing just six runs.

In reply, the Sixers completed the chase in 19.1 overs. Babar anchored the innings, receiving support from Daniel Hughes, who scored 30 off 23 balls, while Joel Davies finished unbeaten on 34 off 15 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes.