Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Thursday became the second batsman from the Asian country after former India skipper Virat Kohli to complete 12,000 international runs. However, Babar failed to break Kohli’s record of reaching the landmark in the least number of innings. Babar Azam achieved this feat in 277 international innings while Kohli reached the milestone in 276 innings.
Babar Azam achieved the feat during his 49-run knock in the first ODI against New Zealand at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Babar and Kohli are just behind England’s Joe Root, who is fourth (275 innings) in the list of fastest batsmen to score 12,000 runs. West Indies legend Vivian Richards currently tops the list having achieved the feat in just 255 innings.
The Pakistan all-format captain has scored 3,696 runs in 85 innings in 47 Tests, 4,862 runs in 94 innings in 96 ODIs and 3,485 runs in 98 innings in 104 T20Is. Babar holds the record of being the fastest Asian batsman to reach 10,000 and 11,000 international runs ahead of Kohli.
Here is a list of fastest batsmen to score 12,000 international runs…
Vivian Richards (West Indies) – 255 innings
Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 264 innings
Steve Smith (Australia) – 269 innings
Joe Root (England) – 275 innings
Virat Kohli (India) – 276 innings
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 277 innings
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman hit his ninth ODI century to guide Pakistan to a five-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Thursday. Left-handed opener Fakhar scored 117 off 114 balls to guide Pakistan to 291-5 with one over to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Watch Babar Azam In the first ODI against New Zealand here…
captain @babarazam258 Stamps his authority with a mighty hit _#PAKvNZ , #happy cricket pic.twitter.com/CCZgrELlCS
– Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 27, 2023
Fakhar’s opening partner Imam-ul-Haq scored 60 in a century-opening stand to lay a solid foundation for the run-chase and captain Babar Azam also scored 49 in Pakistan’s run-chase on a slow wicket. Earlier, fast bowler Naseem Shah (2-29) bowled brilliantly with both the new and old balls to restrict New Zealand to 288-7, despite Daryl Mitchell dismissing Babar after winning the toss and electing to field. Played career best 113 runs in 115 balls.
“It was a team effort, we wanted to start (the series) well,” Babar said. Credit goes to the fast bowlers for the way we restricted them in the end. It’s good to see the players execute their plans. The way Naseem bowled, it put pressure on him and then the way Fakhar and Imam played, then the innings that Fakhar and I played together, it was fantastic.