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Just 95 Runs Away! Run-Machine Babar Azam Eyes Virat Kohli's Remarkable ODI Record

Sakshi Sharma

Babar Azam eyes Virat Kohli's unique record (Source:@whysorudehassan,x.com)Babar Azam eyes Virat Kohli's unique record (Source:@whysorudehassan,x.com)

Babar Azam has finally put his recent lean patch behind him and played a solid knock of 73 runs off 95 balls in the second ODI against South Africa on December 19. Before the third ODI, Babar Azam is on the verge of making another historic record for himself. He just need 95 runs to become the fastest player ever to reach 6000 runs in ODI cricket.

Currently, the record is held by South Africa's Hashim Amla, who achieved the milestone in 123 innings. Babar has played 119 innings so far, meaning he has three innings left to break Amla’s record and make history. 

No
Players
Teams
Innings
1Hashim AmlaSouth Africa123
2
Virat KohliIndia136
3
Kane WilliamsonNew Zealand139
4
David WarnerAustralia139
5Shikhar DhawanIndia
140

Not far behind in terms of accomplishments, Babar Azam is also closing in on another significant milestone. He has scored 19 ODI centuries to date and is just one century away from joining Pakistan's legendary Saeed Anwar as the country's highest century scorer in ODIs. 

However, it is also important to note that, Babar Azam's has faced scrutiny repeatedly due to his performance for the team over the past 1.5 years. His last hundred in ODIs was in 2023 during the Asia Cup match against Nepal, and since then, he hasn't reached the three-figure mark.

Babar Azam's Crucial Knock In Second ODI

Pakistan secured a convincing 81-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI with valuable contribution from Babar Azam's gritty and much-needed knock. 

Babar scored 73 runs off 95 balls and with this half-century, he surpassed MS Dhoni's record for the most half-centuries against "SENA countries" (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). Dhoni had held the record with 38 half-centuries, but Babar has now moved ahead with a total of 39.

Talking about Pakistan's performance, the 'Men in Green' have been outstanding on the South Africa tour so far. After drawing the T20I series 1-1, the team won the first two ODIs to take an unassailable lead in the ODI series. The 3rd and final ODI will be played on December 22 in Johannesburg.