Babar Azam’s Astonishing Records: In a riveting display of skill and determination, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s inspirational cricket captain, etched his name into the annals of cricket history with a breathtaking century against Nepal in the opening match of the Asia Cup.
The match, held in Multan, witnessed Babar’s masterful innings of 151 runs from just 131 deliveries, marking a monumental achievement that resonates across cricketing epochs.
What catapulted this innings beyond the ordinary was not just the runs on the board, but the series of records shattered by Babar on that momentous day.
With each stroke of the bat, he reaffirmed his position as one of the game’s modern greats. Let’s delve into the astounding list of records that now bear the mark of Babar Azam’s name.
1. Quickest to 19 ODI Centuries:
In a sport where centuries signify mastery, Babar Azam raced past the competition. With a mere 102 One Day International (ODI) innings to his credit, he outpaced the legendary Hashim Amla’s previous record of 104 innings, becoming the fastest player in cricket history to amass 19 ODI centuries. This feat is a testament to his consistency and insatiable hunger for runs.
2. Asia Cup’s Second Highest Score:
Babar’s monumental 151 runs marked the second-highest individual score in the history of the Asia Cup. Only Virat Kohli’s extraordinary 183 against Pakistan in 2012 outshines Babar’s effort, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement in this prestigious tournament.
3. Captain’s Heroics:
The innings bore the hallmark of leadership as Babar Azam became the first captain to cross the 150-run mark in an Asia Cup match. Surpassing the previous record held by Virat Kohli’s 136 against Bangladesh in 2014, Babar redefined captaincy prowess and demonstrated his ability to lead from the front.
4. Scaling the 150 Summit:
Remarkably, this was only the second instance of Babar breaching the 150-run milestone in an ODI. His highest ODI score remains an astounding 158, a testament to his capacity for truly dominating performances.
5. Unchallenged No.1 Ranking:
Babar’s superlative performance further cemented his status as the No.1 ranked ODI batsman on the MRF Tyres ODI Batting Rankings. This ranking isn’t a mere number; it reflects his consistency and superiority in the limited-overs format.
6. Averaging Greatness:
Babar’s century elevated his ODI batting average to an astonishing 59.47, placing him fourth on the list of the highest ODI batting averages among male players with a minimum of 2000 ODI runs. This numerical representation of his prowess solidifies his reputation as one of the finest to grace the game.
7. Joining Legends:
Babar’s century marked his 31st international century across all formats, drawing him level with Pakistani cricket legends Javed Miandad and Saeed Anwar. Only cricketing stalwarts Younis Khan (41), Mohammad Yousuf (39), and Inzamam-ul-Haq (35) stand ahead of him in this esteemed list.
8. On the Cusp of History:
As Babar Azam crossed the threshold of 19 ODI centuries, he now stands a mere century away from matching Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 ODI centuries—a feat that would etch his name in history as the player with the most ODI centuries for Pakistan.
9. Opportunities on the Horizon:
As the Asia Cup commences and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup edges closer, Babar’s remarkable form promises more records on the horizon. With the fervor of the Asia Cup and the looming World Cup matches, Babar Azam has ample opportunities to etch his name even deeper into the cricketing chronicles by the end of this year.
10. The Path Ahead:
Pakistan’s upcoming clashes against arch-rival India in the Asia Cup and their debut match in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands on October 6th offer Babar Azam a platform to further consolidate his legacy and inspire the cricketing world with his brilliance.
In a single innings, Babar Azam has transcended the realm of contemporary cricketing excellence and joined the echelons of the sport’s all-time greats. His record-breaking century not only reverberates across stadiums but also resounds in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts, reminding us of the timeless allure of the game and the enduring impact of exceptional talent.
