Babar Azam eyes key records in 2nd ODI against South Africa

Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, is poised to break a major record as he takes the field in the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa in Cape Town today.

The 29-year-old, who has accumulated 5,832 runs in 118 innings, is just 168 runs away from surpassing South African legend Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest to 6,000 ODI runs. Amla achieved this milestone in 123 innings, while Babar has five innings remaining to break the record.

Notably, Babar already holds the record for the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs, reaching the mark in just 97 innings.

Fastest to 6,000 ODI Runs:

• Hashim Amla (South Africa): 123 innings
• Virat Kohli (India): 136 innings
• Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 139 innings
• David Warner (Australia): 139 innings
• Shikhar Dhawan (India): 140 innings

Additionally, Babar is close to equaling the record for the most ODI centuries by a Pakistani batter. With 19 centuries to his name, he needs just one more to match Saeed Anwar’s tally of 20.

Most ODI Centuries for Pakistan:

• Saeed Anwar: 20 centuries
• Babar Azam: 19 centuries
• Mohammad Yousuf: 15 centuries
• Fakhar Zaman: 11 centuries
• Mohammad Hafeez: 11 centuries

Should Babar score his 20th century today, he will become the second-fastest batter in ODI history to reach the landmark, behind only Hashim Amla.

Fastest to 20 ODI Centuries:

• Hashim Amla (South Africa): 108 innings
• Virat Kohli (India): 133 innings
• David Warner (Australia): 142 innings
• Quinton de Kock (South Africa): 150 innings
• AB de Villiers (South Africa): 175 innings

Pakistan leads the series 1-0 after winning the opening match by three wickets, with a standout century from Saim Ayub and an all-round performance from Salman Ali Agha.