International cricketers lavish praise on Babar Azam and Co.

In a display of pure brilliance and teamwork, the Pakistan national team continued their winning streak, beating New Zealand in the fourth one-day international match held in National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

The nation witnessed in awe as this young, talented team claimed victory after victory, showing no signs of slowing down. To top it up, Babar's century came as a sweet, delish cherry on the spongy cake. 

International cricketers took to social media to laud Babar Azam and his team's incredible achievement. From team's director Mickey Arthur, West Indian cricketing legend, Ian Bishop, to Sri Lankan Test captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, praised Pakistan's meteoric rise to the top. 

Congratulations everybody!
Lots still to come!! https://t.co/YBte7oOHXf

— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) May 5, 2023

Some of these Babar Azam drives today though🥰🥰. Happy 18th ODI century, & Congrats on becoming the fastest to 5000 ODI runs. That’s not to be taken lightly, given the great names he has surpassed👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) May 5, 2023 

Congratulations Pakistan for becoming No 1 ODI team after 72 years. What a great achievement @TheRealPCB #PAKvNZ

— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) May 6, 2023 

Congratulations @babarazam258 for fastest player to reach 5000 runs and under 100 ing is unbelievable…. 👏🏼👏🏼#PAKvsNZ

— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) May 5, 2023

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 102 runs and took a 4-0 unassailable lead in the ongoing five-match ODI series. This victory came with certain records as Pakistan peaked at the number one ICC ODI rankings, Babar became the fastest batter to complete 18 ODI centuries as well as being the quickest to reach 5000 ODI runs, surpassing the likes of Hashim Amla and Viv Richards.

Babar Azam, now a household name and a national hero, humbly thanked his teammates, management and the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support. 

The 28- year-old knew that this achievement was not just his own but that of an entire nation that had stood behind him and his team. The young team defied all odds and claimed the number one spot in ICC ODI team rankings for the first time, since ICC officially recognised the rankings in January 2005.