ICC World Cup 2019: Babar Azam surpassess Viv Richards in illustrious ODI list
The 24-year-old reached the milestone in his 68th innings during Pakistan’s chase of a 238-run target.
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam added a new feather into his already illustrious cap as he became the second-fastest cricket to reach 3000 ODI runs during his team’s ICC World Cup 2019 encounter against New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday.
The right-hander reached the milestone in his 68th innings and he is only behind South African opener Hashim Amla on the list, who crossed the milestone in 57 innings. However, the 24-year-old surpassed legendary Windies cricketer Viv Richards in this illustrious list.
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Pakistan kept alive their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, cruising to a six-wicket win against previously unbeaten New Zealand at Edgbaston.
New Zealand scored 237 for six in their 50 overs but that total proved inadequate as Babar Azam scored an impressive unbeaten 101 and Haris Sohail (68) offered valuable support.
Pakistan reached their target off the first ball of their final over, finishing on 241-4.
“The wicket was difficult but my aim was to bat for 50 overs and if I did I knew Pakistan would win the match,” said man-of-the-match Babar.
“We know we’d need to score runs off the pace bowlers. Once (Mitchell) Santner came on it was doing stuff off the pitch so (Mohammad) Hafeez told me to stick at it and score three or four runs an over.”
((With agency inputs))