Pakistan cricket icon Babar Azam became the joint-fastest batter to score 6,000 ODI runs during the final of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.
Babar Azam opened alongside Fakhar Zaman and made 29 runs before being dismissed by Nathan Smith in the 12th over of the innings. At the end of the first powerplay, Babar was unbeaten on 24, anchoring Pakistan at 48 for 2. Attempting to accelerate, Babar fell, mistiming a shot against Smith as Pakistan stumbled to 54 for 3. Babar now had 6,019 ODI runs to his credit.
6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ ODI runs completed! @babarazam258 is the joint-fastest to the milestone ✅🥇#3Nations1Trophy | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/uwwN5FFfrO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 14, 2025
The 30-year-old began cautiously, struggling to find fluency early on after Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first. In the seventh over, he seized on an overpitched delivery from Jacob Duffy, driving it elegantly through covers to bring up 6,000 ODI runs in his 123rd innings—equalling former South African great Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to the mark.
However, Friday's knock helped the former Pakistan captain become the fastest Asian batter to reach the milestone in ODI cricket, news agency IANS reported. He broke the record of Virat Kohli who took 136 innings to reach the milestone.
Babar Azam had earlier become the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs in May 2023, reaching the milestone in just 97 matches. However, since the ODI World Cup, the right-hander has struggled to maintain his form, with just two fifty-plus scores in his last seven innings. Ahead of Friday's game, Babar was dismissed cheaply for 10 in the opening game against New Zealand and fell short again (23) while chasing a big total against South Africa.
Pakistan ODI batting records: Highest run-getters
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Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who amassed 11,701 runs, is the most succesfull ODI batter in the history of the nation. Mohammad Yousuf, who retired in 2010, comes second with 9,554 runs while the legendary Saeed Anwar is third with 8,824 runs to his credit. Babar Azam, who is currently 11th in the all-time chart, the pole position among active players. He need another 545 runs to break into the top-ten list, record books show.
