Babar Azam becomes the highest run scorer in first 25 ODI innings

Pakistani number 3 batsman, Babar Azam, created history by becoming the top run scorer in first 25 ODI innings during the course of his unbeaten 125 off 138 balls, which helped Pakistan to level the 3 match series at 1-1. Babar Azam’s innings took Pakistan into a comfortable position after losing early wickets which put them in a spot of bother.

Together with Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azam stitched vital partnerships to help Pakistan post a total of 282 in the second ODI in Guyana. Exceptional bowling performance from Hasan Ali, who picked up 5 wickets by giving away just 38 runs, made sure Pakistan were alive in the series.

Babar Azam has made 1306 runs 25 ODI innings, surpassing the likes of stalwarts such as Sir Vivian Richards, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and young Quinton De Kock. Previously, the record was held by English batsman Jonathan Trott who scored 1280 runs in his 25 ODI innings.

Babar Azam also holds the record for fastest to 1000 ODI runs in 21 innings joining Viv Richards, Trott, De Kock, and Pietersen.

Babar Azam already scored 5 tons in One-day cricket accompanied by 6 half-centuries. Interestingly, four out of the five tons have been scored against the Carribean side, which itself is another record. He joins the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar and arguably the greatest all-rounder to play the game, Jacques Kallis, who have scored 4 centuries each against West Indies. He’s only behind Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs who currently hold the record for most centuries against West Indies with 5 centuries each.

Babar Azam also joined Quinton De Kock for the most number of centuries within first 25 ODI innings. Also, Babar Azam averages 124.50 after amassing 498 runs in 5 innings, which is the most by any batsman against West Indies so far.

Babr Azam also toppled the record for most number of centuries by a Pakistani batsman against West Indies, surpassing the likes of Mohammad Yousuf, Rameez Raza and Saeed Anwar who could only manage 2 tons against the West Indies side.