Babar Azam becomes fastest to reach 6,000 ODI runs

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam has achieved a major milestone during the tri-nation series final against New Zealand in Karachi, reaching the 6,000 ODI runs mark.

Babar Azam is now tied with former South Africa batter Hashim Amla to surpass the 6,000 ODI runs mark in 123 innings.

In addition to this, the star batter has also become the fastest Asian player to reach 6,000 runs.

The record was previously held by India’s Virat Kohli, who took 136 innings to reach the milestone. Kane Williamson and David Warner had taken 139 innings each.

The opening batter is now the 11th Pakistani batter to achieve 6,000 ODI runs.

Other notable Pakistani players who have reached this landmark include Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Saleem Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, and Ejaz Ahmed.

Babar has struggled for runs in the ongoing Tri-Nation series against New Zealand and South Africa. In the previous two matches before the final, the 30-year-old registered scores of 10 and 23.

Due to his current poor form and criticism from fans, Babar Azam asked Pakistani journalists to stop calling him “king”. He said after the hosts pulled off a record chase against South Africa in the Tri-Nation series, he spoke to the reporters.