![Babar Azam [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1760260921009_babar_WTC.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam [Source: AFP]
In a phenomenal achievement, Babar Azam became the first-ever batter from Asia to complete 3000 runs in World Test Championship. The stylish right-handed batter attained the huge landmark in Pakistan's ongoing Test against South Africa at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.
Babar does what Kohli, Rohit couldn't; completes 3000 runs in WTC
Babar Azam needed only three runs to breach the 3000-run mark in WTC history. As one of his inside-edges crossed the third man fence, Babar became the seventh batter across teams to achieve the milestone.
Additionally, he is the first-ever batter from Asia to bring up 3000 runs in the history of the competition. It's worth mentioning that India's talismanic duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired with 2617 and 2716 WTC runs, respectively. So, Babar effectively surpassed their WTC legacy, completing 3000 runs in significantly lesser number of innings.
Most runs by Asian batters in WTC
- Babar Azam - 3012*
- Shubman Gill - 2826
- Rishabh Pant - 2731
- Rohit Sharma - 2716
- Dimuth Karunaratne - 2642
- Virat Kohli - 2617
Babar Azam's WTC legacy challenged by torrid run
The World Test Championship kicked off in 2019, a year that saw Babar Azam smash 616 Test runs at a sublime average of 68.44. While he reached greater heights in Tests, recording superb averages of 67.60 and 69.65, in 2020 and 2022, respectively, he has been a pale shadow of himself since 2023.
Statistically, Babar Azam had just 590 runs at an average of 23.60 since that start of 2023 before the first Test against South Africa. That said, he has shown signs of improvement recently, averaging 30.67 in the format this year. So, the South Africa tour gives him a golden opportunity to regain his mojo and re-establish himself as a vital cog in Pakistan's Test setup.
