All records are meant to be broken, and Babar Azam, the current Pakistan captain, seems to be shattering them with ease. After surpassing Hashim Amla’s record of being the fastest batter to reach 5000 ODI runs, Babar has gone on to achieve the feat of becoming the quickest player to score 18 ODI centuries, leaving behind the likes of David Warner, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers in the process.
Babar achieved this feat in just 97 ODI innings, during Pakistan’s fourth ODI match against New Zealand in Karachi. The previous record was held by Hashim Amla, who took 102 innings to reach this milestone.
Babar’s 18th ODI century also ended his 11-month century drought, during which he scored eight consecutive fifties but failed to convert them into a century. His last century came against the West Indies in June of last year when he scored his 17th hundred.
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Twitter and other social media platforms have been ablaze with praise and similar reactions over Babar’s new milestone. Check out some of the tweets below.
Fuckin’ goosebumps!!! What a century, what a player, what a legend, babar azam. An honour to have witnessed his century today. pic.twitter.com/TXJDQL3a6l
— P.✨ (@PreetyThakur22) May 5, 2023
Where are you haters? Pakistan now have won 13 out of last 15 ODIs under the captaincy of Babar Azam & he now has the highest win percentage as a Pakistan captain in the format. pic.twitter.com/iPKkNBCiXQ
— KH SAKIB 🇧🇩 (@Crickettalkss) May 5, 2023
Only Babar Azam should be contrasted with Babar Azam. It’s done. Here is the tweet. pic.twitter.com/568uMvpl9Q
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) May 5, 2023
You’re looking at the first Pakistan captain to take the team to No. 1 in ODI cricket 🙌
Babar Azam credits Allah, and then praises the team effort and the support staff Alhamdulillah ♥️ pic.twitter.com/BaPFEbAZlM
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 5, 2023
Babar Azam’s average vs leg-spin in ODIs is second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the recent history. pic.twitter.com/o30AjdRBud
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) May 5, 2023
I can’t believe some Pakistani hate Babar Azam?
In 2015, Pakistan were ranked 9 in ODIs & could have lost their place from ICC Champions Trophy. 8 years later, today, under the captaincy of Babar Azam they’re no 1 ODI side in the world. pic.twitter.com/Zl7lddjzKo
— KH SAKIB 🇧🇩 (@Crickettalkss) May 5, 2023
Whatever Babar Azam says, he loves keeping his promise. At the age of 28, Babar Azam is the best batsman Pakistan have ever produced & lead Pakistan to be no 1 ODI side in the world. He’ll retire as the greatest Pakistani player of all-time, Ameen. pic.twitter.com/hM9oJLgour
— KH SAKIB 🇧🇩 (@Crickettalkss) May 5, 2023
Babar Azam becoming the player of the match on day pakistan team goes to No.1 ranking is so poetic!
— کشف (@kashafudduja_) May 5, 2023
You’re the reason the nations love and interest for cricket revived. Pakistan cricket was lost for a long time before you. The sun shined upon us under you. Thank you Babar Azam for creating a unit the cricketing world fears.
The whole nation is proud of you and your boys🐐🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/1ONJAdOJRD— Tasneem (@fiftyoverwc) May 5, 2023
Babar Azam after all all criticism. pic.twitter.com/PY5MKvxYKI
— A L I (@_alinoman) May 5, 2023
With Babar’s ongoing form and achievements, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him break even more records in the near future. What do you think?
