Babar Azam Achieves Joint-Fastest 6,000 ODI Runs
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Babar Azam, during the final of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand, became the joint-fastest cricketer to reach 6,000 ODI runs. This achievement ties him with Hashim Amla's record, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Key Takeaways
- Babar Azam reaches 6,000 ODI runs in 123 innings.
- Joins Hashim Amla as the fastest to this milestone.
- Fastest Asian to achieve 6,000 ODI runs.
- Struggled for form post-World Cup.
- Tri-series serves as preparation for ICC Champions Trophy.
Karachi, Feb 14 (NationPress) Pakistan batter Babar Azam has made history by becoming the joint-fastest player to accumulate 6,000 ODI runs during the final of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand at the National Stadium on Friday.
Babar, opening the innings with Fakhar Zaman, started the match cautiously, facing challenges in finding his rhythm after Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan elected to bat first.
In the seventh over, he capitalized on an overpitched ball from Jacob Duffy, elegantly driving it through covers to achieve 6,000 ODI runs in just 123 innings—matching the record set by former South African legend Hashim Amla for the fastest to this milestone.
Additionally, he became the fastest Asian player to reach this significant mark in ODI cricket, surpassing Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, who took 136 innings to achieve the same.
Earlier, in May 2023, he had set another record by being the fastest to reach 5,000 ODI runs, accomplishing this in only 97 matches. However, since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup, Babar's performance has dipped, with just two scores over fifty in his last seven innings.
The current tri-series serves as a vital preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy commencing on February 19, but it has not favored Babar, who scored merely 10 runs in the opening match against New Zealand and managed just 23 runs while chasing a substantial total against South Africa.
In the ongoing final of the tri-series, Babar displayed moments of his renowned stability after Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman and Saud Shakeel early.
At the conclusion of the first powerplay, Babar was not out on 24 runs, stabilizing the innings at 48 for 2. As he attempted to accelerate the scoring, Babar was dismissed for 29 runs, misplaying a shot against Nathan Smith, leaving Pakistan at 54 for 3 in the 12th over.
