Babar Azam Joins Other Legends with Yet Another Historic Landmark

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s all-format captain, became the second-fastest Asian cricketer to score 12,000 international runs, trailing only India’s Virat Kohli by one innings. Overall, he is the world’s sixth-fastest batter to reach the milestone.

Babar reached this impressive milestone during his 49-run innings against New Zealand in the first One Day International (ODI) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The 28-year-old achieved this feat in his 277th international innings, while Kohli did so in 276. Currently, England’s Joe Root is the fourth-fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in 275 innings, with South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Australia’s Steve Smith coming in second and third, respectively.

Vivian Richards of the West Indies holds the top spot, having accomplished this feat in only 255 innings.

Also Read: First New Zealand One Day International: Naseem Shah Sets New Bowling Record

Babar is the second-fastest Asian batter to reach the mark, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Babar Azam has scored 3,696 runs in 47 Tests, 4,862 runs in 96 One-Day Internationals, and 3,485 runs in 104 Twenty20 Internationals. He holds the record for being the Asian batsman to reach 10,000 and 11,000 international runs in the shortest amount of time.

Here are the fastest players to reach 12,000 international runs:

Fastest Asian batters to the milestone: