Babar Azam etched his name into Pakistan cricket history on Sunday, becoming the fifth batter in the nation’s history to surpass 16,000 international runs. Entering the first ODI of the tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi with 15,993 runs, the captain needed just seven more to cross the prestigious threshold. He achieved the feat in the fourth over, coming to the crease after Saim Ayub was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka. Azam required only six deliveries to complete the milestone, sealing the record with a three off Asitha Fernando.
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The milestone underscores Azam’s consistency across formats since his 2015 debut, marking his 355th international appearance. While he fell short of a half-century, finishing on 45 after being dismissed by Pavan Rathnayake off Eshan Malinga, the achievement places him in rare company. He now joins Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Javed Miandad as the only Pakistan batters to cross the 16,000-run mark. Inzamam remains the all-time leader with 20,541 runs, followed by Younis Khan (17,790) and Mohammad Yousuf (17,134).
This historic performance highlights the depth of Pakistan’s batting lineup and Azam’s enduring dominance in modern cricket. By reaching this benchmark in his 355th match, Azam has solidified his status as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the country’s history. As the tri-series continues, all eyes will be on whether the captain can extend his run-scoring streak and challenge the all-time records set by the legends who preceded him.
Source: Yahoo Sports
