Babar Azam has been the joint-fastest hitter to reach 6000 ODI runs. The right-hander accomplished the feat against New Zealand in the Tri-Series final on Friday at the National Stadium in Karachi. Babar Azam smashed a four on the third ball of the seventh over, brilliantly reading Jacob Duffy’s slower delivery. Babar timed his drive perfectly wide of the cover-point to bring up the landmark.
Babar Azam is currently tied with former South African batsman Hashim Amla for the most ODI runs scored. Both players needed 123 innings to accomplish this milestone.
Virat Kohli of India took 136 innings to reach 6,000 ODI runs, while Kane Williamson and David Warner took 139 innings each.
As a result, Babar Azam has become the fastest Asian to reach the milestone in ODI cricket.
Babar has failed to score runs in the ongoing Tri-Nation Series against New Zealand and South Africa. The 30-year-old had scored 10 and 23 in his previous two matches leading up to the final.
In the final, Babar Azam made a strong start but was unable to capitalize. The right-hander eventually returned to the pavilion after scoring 29 off 34 balls.
Babar, the former Pakistan captain, last scored a century against Nepal in 2023, and he has yet to reach three figures in an ODI.
Since Saim Ayub was ruled out of the Tri-Nation series and the Champions Trophy, Babar has taken over as Pakistan’s opening batsman in 50-over cricket.
Stop calling me king
Babar Azam has urged Pakistani journalists to stop referring to him as “king”. He spoke to media after the hosts set a new record against South Africa in the Tri-Nation series. “Please quit calling me King. I am not a king. I’m not there yet. “There are new roles for me now,” Babar Azam explained. “Everything I’ve done before is in the past. Every match is a new challenge, and I must concentrate on the present and future,” he said.
Babar Azam’s last international century came against Nepal on August 30, 2023, when he hit 151 runs off 131 deliveries.
Pakistan is in Group A of the Champions Trophy, alongside India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. The hosts will open their campaign against New Zealand on February 19.