Babar Azam reaches 6000 runs in ODI cricket

He becomes fastest Asian batter to achieve mark

KARACHI:

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has reached a significant milestone in One Day International (ODI) cricket, completing 6,000 runs. He achieved this feat in his 126th ODI match, becoming the fastest Pakistani to reach the landmark.

During the first innings, Babar also equaled South African batting legend Hashim Amla's long-standing record of being the fastest to 6,000 runs in ODI cricket, with both reaching the milestone in just 123 innings.

Babar, who needed just 10 runs before the innings to accomplish this milestone, reached the mark with a boundary off Duffy's delivery.

He is now the 11th Pakistani batter to score 6,000 runs in ODI cricket. Inzamam-ul-Haq remains Pakistan's highest run-scorer in the format with 11,701 runs, followed by Mohammad Yousuf (9,554 runs) and Saeed Anwar (8,824 runs).

In the process of reaching 6000 ODI runs, Babar Azam has left behind Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and David Warner.

India's Virat Kohli had taken 136 innings to bring up 6,000 ODI runs, while Kane Williamson and David Warner had taken 139 innings each.

However, during the past year and a half, Babar has struggled for runs otherwise he would have left Amla behind by some margin.

The former Pakistan captain last scored a century in 2023 against Nepal, and since then, Babar is yet to cross the three-figure mark in ODIs.

Babar has started opening the batting for Pakistan in the 50-over format since Saim Ayub was ruled out of the Tri-Nation series and the Champions Trophy.

'Stop calling me king'

Recently, Babar Azam asked Pakistani journalists to stop calling him "king". After the hosts pulled off a record chase against South Africa in the Tri-Nation series, he spoke to the reporters.

"Please stop calling me King. I am not King. I am not there yet. There are new roles for me now," said Babar Azam.

Injuries disrupted Eng's campaign in India: McCullum

Injuries in the squad prevented England from training ahead of the last two One Day Internationals against India, coach Brendon McCullum said following criticism of their preparation for the series which they lost 3-0.

Bowler Jofra Archer suffered a cut to his hand and bowling all-rounders Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton were sidelined with hamstring and calf injuries, respectively, affecting England's preparations for this month's Champions Trophy.

McCullum said the team did not train in order to stay fresh ahead of the Champions Trophy beginning next week. "Hopefully in Pakistan we will have a fully fit squad to pick from and we look forward to a fresh challenge. It's been a tough lesson but hopefully it's been great preparation for the tournament," he added. Reuters