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Babar Azam completed 16,000 runs in international cricket on Sunday, October 18 becoming the fifth Pakistani batter to achieve the milestone. He reached the mark during the opening ODI of the Pakistan-hosted tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a three-team competition that also features England alongside Sri Lanka.
Babar required only seven runs at the start of the match to cross the landmark. Pakistan were sent in to bat by Sri Lanka, and Babar walked out at No. 3 when Saim Ayub was dismissed in the third over, caught at mid-off off the bowling of Dilshan Madushanka. Babar got off the mark with a crisp drive against Asitha Fernando, then followed it up with another drive through the off-side that yielded three runs and took him to the 16,000-run mark.
He did not stop there. Babar continued to play fluently, finishing with 45 runs off 57 balls before Eshan Malinga ended his innings. The knock contained six fours.
How does Babar rank among Pakistanis to reach 16,000 international runs?
Babar is the third-fastest Pakistani to reach 16,000 international runs across all three formats, getting there in 399 innings. Mohammad Yousuf is the quickest among Pakistani batters to the milestone, having done so in 388 innings, while Javed Miandad is second on the list with 398 innings.
The other two Pakistanis who have surpassed 16,000 international runs are Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. Babar now joins this group as the fifth member from Pakistan to cross the mark.
For context, India's Virat Kohli holds the world record for reaching 16,000 international runs in the fewest innings. Kohli achieved the feat in his 350th innings, which is 49 innings quicker than Babar managed.
What is the format of the ongoing ODI tri-series in Pakistan?
Pakistan are currently hosting a seven-match ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, meaning each team faces the other two sides twice during the league stage.
The two teams that finish at the top of the standings after the league matches will advance to the final. That decider is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31. The tri-series began on Sunday with the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
