Babar Azam on verge of breaking multiple records in tri-nation series opener against New Zealand

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is on the brink of rewriting history as he takes the field in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. The 30-year-old is just 43 runs away from breaking South African legend Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to 6000 ODI runs.

Amla set the record by reaching 6000 runs in 123 innings. Babar, with 5957 runs in 120 innings, has two innings left to surpass this milestone.

Babar already holds the record for being the fastest to 5000 ODI runs, having achieved the feat in just 97 innings. 

Fastest to 6000 ODI Runs:

• Hashim Amla (South Africa): 123 innings  
• Virat Kohli (India): 136 innings  
• Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 139 innings  
• David Warner (Australia): 139 innings  
• Shikhar Dhawan (India): 140 innings  

In addition to this, Babar is also close to equaling the record for the most ODI centuries by a Pakistani batter. With 19 centuries to his name, Babar needs just one more to match Saeed Anwar’s tally of 20 centuries.

Most ODI Centuries for Pakistan:

• Saeed Anwar: 20 centuries  
• Babar Azam: 19 centuries  
• Mohammad Yousuf: 15 centuries  
• Fakhar Zaman: 11 centuries  
• Mohammad Hafeez: 11 centuries  

If Babar scores his 20th century in this match, he will become the second-fastest batter in ODI history to reach this landmark, second only to Hashim Amla.

Fastest to 20 ODI Centuries:

• Hashim Amla (South Africa): 108 innings  
• Virat Kohli (India): 133 innings  
• David Warner (Australia): 142 innings  
• Quinton de Kock (South Africa): 150 innings  
• AB de Villiers (South Africa): 175 innings  

Babar Azam’s incredible consistency and ability to break records have made him one of the most respected batters in world cricket, and he is poised to achieve even more milestones in his career.