Former Pakistan Captain Likens 'This' Player to Sir Donald Bradman

image-lhbr21p6Babar Azam crossed 5,000 ODI runs last evening [Source: Twitter]

One of the best limited-overs batters in the modern era, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is breaking records right, left, and center. Azam bettered South African Hasim Amla's record of quickest to 5,000 One-Day International (ODI) runs last evening against New Zealand in the fourth match of their ongoing 50-overs series in Pakistan. 

In the same match, which Pakistan won by 102 runs, Azam slammed his 18th century, and is currently sitting on 5,088 runs in 99 ODIs at an astounding average of 59.86. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has now called Azam the best white-ball batter in the world currently.

In 104 T20Is, Azam has scored 3,485 runs, which include three tons and 30 half-centuries.

The former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, speaking on his YouTube channel, further went on to liken the 28-year-old to Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman as well.

Regarded as one of the best Test batters to ever play the game, Bradman averages 99.9 from 52 Tests for Australia between 1928 and 1948.

Here's what Raja said

“Babar Azam is no less than Don Bradman. In white-ball cricket, he has statistically become the best player in the world. I have never seen so much consistency from a player in such a risky format. The base of which is his technique and temperament. He has no technical issues, whether it is a grassy pitch or a pitch like Karachi, where bowlers generally struggle.

"He is fastest to 5000 ODI runs and has surpassed many legends like Viv Richards, which is a big achievement. He is the reason why Pakistan has become the number one team in ODI rankings.”

With this 4-0 lead, Pakistan has now topped the ICC ODI Team Rankings with 113 points, ahead of Australia and India, who are placed in No.2 and No.3. 

The fifth and final ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand be played on Sunday in Karachi.