On Friday, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam made history as he became the fastest batsman to reach 5,000 one-day international (ODI) runs. Azam achieved this feat in the fourth match against New Zealand, held in Karachi, Pakistan. The 28-year-old batsman broke the record previously held by South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who reached the 5,000-run mark in 101 innings. In contrast, Azam achieved this milestone in just 11 innings fewer, making him the fastest batsman to reach 5,000 runs in ODI cricket.
This is Azam’s 97th innings in 99 one-day internationals, improving on Amla’s feat of reaching the milestone in 101 innings from 104 matches.
Last year he narrowly missed equalling Amla’s record for the fastest 4,000 ODI runs in 81 innings.
Azam’s remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting talent and consistency on the field. He made his ODI debut in May 2015, and since then, he has been a critical player in Pakistan’s national team. He has already scored 17 centuries and 26 half-centuries in his ODI career, with an average of 59.29, which is the highest among all ODI batsmen with a minimum of 2,000 runs. He has also been the top-ranked ODI batsman in the world since April 2021.
Azam’s recent form has been phenomenal, and he has consistently scored big runs for Pakistan. In the four-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this year, he scored two centuries and a fifty, amassing 228 runs in just three innings. His performances earned him the player of the series award and helped Pakistan secure a 2-1 victory over South Africa.
During the current series against New Zealand, Azam has already scored two half-centuries, and he is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the series so far. His performance in the fourth ODI was particularly impressive, as he scored an unbeaten 92 off 104 balls, leading Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand. Azam’s innings was crucial in a low-scoring game, as he anchored the chase and batted until the end to ensure Pakistan’s victory.
Azam’s success in ODI cricket has also earned him a place in Pakistan’s Test team, where he has also excelled. He has scored five Test centuries in just 31 innings, with an average of 45.4. He has also been instrumental in Pakistan’s recent success in Test cricket, helping them secure series victories against South Africa and Zimbabwe earlier this year.
Azam’s rise to the top of world cricket has been rapid, and he is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. His technique, temperament, and ability to score runs in all conditions have impressed cricket fans and experts worldwide. He has been compared to some of the best batsmen of all time, including Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, and his performances have caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
However, despite his success, Azam’s journey has not been without challenges. He has faced criticism from some quarters for his strike rate and inability to convert fifties into big hundreds. But he has taken such criticisms in his stride and has continued to work hard on his game, constantly striving to improve his performance on the field.
Babar Azam’s achievement of becoming the fastest batsman to reach 5,000 ODI runs is a remarkable feat that cements his place as one of the best batsmen in world cricket. His consistency, technique, and ability to score runs in all conditions have made him a vital player in Pakistan’s national team. His recent performances in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand have been impressive, and he will undoubtedly continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
