Pakistan veteran Shoaib Malik becomes third batsman to score 10,000 runs in T20 cricket

All-rounder reached the milestone during the National T20 Cup

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has crossed the 10,000-run mark in T20 cricket. AFP

Shoaib Malik has become just the third batsman in T20 cricket to score 10,000 runs. Pawan Singh / The National

Shoaib Malik is the first Asian batsman to reach the landmark in T20 cricket. Pawan Singh / The National

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik has yet to score a T20 century. Reuters

Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik during a friendly match against Nepal at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National

Shoaib Malik has been playing T20 cricket since 2005. AFP

Shoaib Malik, right, celebrates with Umar Akmal after scoring a half century during their Asia Cup T20 victory over the UAE at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka in 2016. AFP

England's Paul Collingwood and Shoaib Malik after the second T20 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in 2010. Pawan Singh / The National

Pakistan veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik entered the record books by becoming just the third batsman to amass 10,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Malik has retired from Tests and ODI cricket and is now concentrating on the 20-over format. And that focus allowed him to join an exclusive club during the National T20 Cup in Pakistan on Saturday.

Malik, 38, scored 74 off 44 balls batting for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against Balochistan. Even though he ended up on the losing side, there was some personal joy for Malik as he crossed the 10,000-run mark, following in the footsteps of T20 stars Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.

Malik's record stands at 10,027 runs from 395 matches at an average of 37.41 and a strike rate of 125.71.

The former captain took to social media to thank his supporters.

"I hope I will carry on in the way I have been playing. I'd like to dedicate this milestone to my parents, they've always prayed for me," Malik tweeted.

"I wish my father was alive today as he would've been very happy, but that's how life is. Whenever I go to the ground I always call my mother before a match & get her prayers. Also a big thank you to all my fellow players, ground staff members, fans and supporters."

Malik played his first T20 match in 2005 but oddly is yet to score a century in T20.

Next in the list behind Malik, among active cricketers, is Australia batsman David Warner who has a little over 9,500 runs from 288 matches.