Babar Azam, Pakistan’s cricket superstar, is on the verge of making history in One Day Internationals (ODIs). A remarkable achievement awaits him as he is set to surpass modern legends Virat Kohli and Hashim Amla, cementing his legacy in cricket history.
Currently ranked as the world’s top ODI batsman, Babar Azam is just a few runs shy of becoming the fastest player to reach 6,000 ODI runs. South Africa’s Hashim Amla holds the record, achieving the milestone in 123 innings. In comparison, Babar has already amassed 5,905 runs in just 119 innings.
With four more innings to break Amla’s record, the upcoming matches hold immense significance for the Pakistani captain. Virat Kohli, another cricketing great, reached the 6,000-run mark in 136 innings. Babar’s incredible form gives him a golden opportunity to outpace both Kohli and Amla, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest ODI players.
Babar’s recent performance in the second ODI against South Africa on December 19 has reignited his momentum. He played a pivotal knock of 73 runs off 95 balls, leading Pakistan to a commanding 81-run victory. This crucial innings marked his return to form after a period of criticism for a lack of centuries. Sharing a vital 100-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, Babar guided his team to a series-clinching win.
His half-century in this match was particularly special as it pushed him past MS Dhoni’s record for the most half-centuries scored against SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). Babar now leads with 39 half-centuries, leaving Dhoni’s tally of 38 behind.
Babar Azam’s hunger for milestones doesn’t stop there. With 19 ODI centuries already under his belt, he is just one century away from matching Saeed Anwar’s record for the most ODI hundreds by a Pakistani batsman. Anwar, a left-handed legend, scored 20 centuries during his illustrious career. A century in the next ODI would bring Babar level with Anwar and make him Pakistan’s joint-most prolific century-maker in ODIs.
While Babar has consistently been among the world’s best batsmen, he has faced criticism for not scoring a century since the 2023 Asia Cup, where he last reached three figures against Nepal. However, his recent performances suggest that he is back in form and ready to silence his critics with a statement-making innings.
As Pakistan gears up for the third and final ODI against South Africa on December 22, all eyes will be on Babar Azam. Fans are hopeful that their skipper will not only lead Pakistan to another victory but also etch his name in the record books. A century in this match could propel him past Amla’s milestone and bring him one step closer to Anwar’s legendary record.
Babar Azam’s journey to greatness is a testament to his skill, dedication, and resilience. As he stands on the brink of achieving historic feats, cricket fans worldwide are eager to witness history in the making.
