Pakistan’s star batsman and former captain, Babar Azam, is on the verge of achieving yet another historic milestone in ODI cricket. As the national team gears up for the final of the tri-nation series against New Zealand in Karachi on January 14, Babar has a golden opportunity to surpass Indian batting legend Virat Kohli and etch his name in cricketing history.
Babar Azam’s Chance to Break a Major Record
Babar Azam has been a consistent performer for Pakistan across all formats. His elegant stroke play, impeccable timing, and hunger for runs have already placed him among the top batsmen in world cricket. Now, he is just 10 runs away from reaching 6,000 runs in ODI cricket—a feat that could make him the fastest cricketer to achieve this milestone.
If he reaches the landmark in the upcoming match, he will surpass Virat Kohli, who completed 6,000 runs in 136 innings. However, Babar has played only 122 innings so far, giving him a chance to equal or even break Hashim Amla’s record. The South African great remains the fastest batsman to reach 6,000 ODI runs, accomplishing the feat in just 123 innings.
Fastest Players to Reach 6,000 ODI Runs
The list of the fastest batsmen to reach 6,000 ODI runs is dominated by some of the greatest cricketers in history:
- Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 123 innings
- Virat Kohli (India) – 136 innings
- Babar Azam (Pakistan) – Currently 122 innings, needs 10 runs to reach 6,000
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 139 innings
- David Warner (Australia) – 139 innings
With his current average of 55.98 in ODIs, Babar Azam is widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen of the modern era. If he reaches this milestone in Karachi, he will also become the 11th Pakistani cricketer to achieve 6,000 ODI runs.
Pakistani Cricketers Who Have Reached 6,000 ODI Runs
Babar Azam will join an elite group of Pakistani cricketers who have previously crossed the 6,000-run mark in ODIs:
- Saeed Anwar – 162 matches
- Mohammad Yousuf – 168 matches
- Javed Miandad – 175 matches
- Inzamam-ul-Haq – 176 matches
- Mohammad Hafeez – 196 matches
- Younis Khan – 205 matches
- Shoaib Malik – 205 matches
- Ijaz Ahmed – 210 matches
- Saleem Malik – 212 matches
- Shahid Afridi – 276 matches
Among these names, Babar Azam’s achievement is even more remarkable because he is on track to reach this milestone in significantly fewer matches than any other Pakistani batsman.
Babar Azam’s Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Babar Azam has been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup since making his international debut in 2015. His ability to anchor an innings while also accelerating the scoring rate makes him a vital asset for the team. Over the years, he has played match-winning knocks against top teams, proving his class and temperament.
Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup and the semi-final of the 2021 edition. Even though he stepped down as captain in 2023, his performances with the bat remain as crucial as ever.
Can Babar Azam Surpass Hashim Amla?
If Babar Azam scores at least 10 runs in his next ODI innings, he will tie Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to 6,000 runs. However, if he scores 11 or more, he will become the fastest player in ODI history to reach the milestone.
Babar’s career so far has been full of records. He was the fastest to 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 runs for Pakistan in ODIs. If he breaks this record as well, it will further solidify his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan has ever produced.
As Pakistan faces New Zealand in the tri-nation series final, all eyes will be on Babar Azam. Cricket fans across the globe will be eagerly waiting to see if he can make history by becoming the fastest player to reach 6,000 ODI runs.
With his current form and consistency, there is little doubt that Babar Azam will continue to break records and elevate Pakistan cricket to new heights. Whether he surpasses Amla’s record in this match or the next, one thing is certain—Babar Azam’s name will be remembered among the legends of the game for years to come.
