Friday, Babar Azam hit an outstanding century, which contributed to Pakistan moving to the top of the one-day international rankings for the first time in history. This achievement came after Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 102 runs in the fourth match of their series in Karachi.
Babar scored 107 runs off of 117 balls and also became the quickest hitter to achieve 5,000 runs in one-day internationals. As a result, his side finished their 50 overs with a score of 334-6. With his 18th One-Day International (ODI) century, he went over the mark in his 97th innings in the format, breaking the previous record held by former South African hitter Hashim Amla, who had played 101 innings.
In a total of 43.4 overs, New Zealand was bowled out for 232. Skipper Tom Latham (60), Mark Chapman (46), and Daryl Mitchell (34), who offered some fight, contributed to this total. Usama Mir, the leg-spinner, led Pakistan’s bowling attack with a career-best 4-43, while Mohammad Wasim, the pacer, and Haris Rauf, the spinner, also excelled.
The victory moved Pakistan to number one in the rankings for the first time since the International Cricket Council started keeping official records of the rankings in 2005. The win also gave Pakistan a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.
Previously, Pakistan’s highest ODI rating was third, which they achieved in January 2018 and again in June 2022. This was Pakistan’s highest ODI ranking.
“I will say that the credit goes to the entire team and support staff for becoming the number-one ranked ODI team,” said Babar. “I will say that the credit goes to the entire team and support staff.” “By working hard toward this objective, we were able to build momentum.
“I believe that this journey has been beneficial. On this same day nine years ago, I became a member of the group. Since then, there have been highs and lows, but the support has been incredible.
After New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first at National Stadium, the home team’s performance was highlighted by Babar’s 30th century in all of international cricket. The man who is now 28 years old broke Amla’s record when he was only 19 years old.
Together with Shan Masood (44), he contributed 50 runs to the score for the second wicket. Together with Agha Salman (58), he contributed 127 runs to the score for the fourth wicket. Together with Iftikhar Ahmed (28), he contributed 41 runs to the score for the sixth wicket.
Before he was caught at deep mid-wicket in the 48th over by a rookie bowler named Ben Lister, Babar, who has been the best one-day international hitter for the past two years, smashed ten fours before he was bowled by Lister.
In One-Day International cricket, Babar became the 14th Pakistani to achieve at least 5,000 runs, with Inzamam-ul-Haq, a former captain, holding the record with 11,701 runs scored. He also holds the record for the quickest player to reach 18 hundreds in ODIs, breaking Amla’s mark of 102 innings.
The surface was in good shape when we began our innings. Together with Shan, I intended to construct the innings. “We thought it was more than 300 wickets, and then we bowled well,” Babar continued.
During his knock of 46 balls, Salman contributed by hitting two sixes and four fours before being caught and bowled by bowler Matt Henry, who completed the game with a total of 3-65. During the final 10 overs of Pakistan’s innings, the team scored 94 runs, with Shaheen Shah Afridi contributing 23 runs not out while hitting three sixes and a four in seven balls.
“Credit to the way that they played, Babar played fantastically,” said Latham of New Zealand. “Credit to the way that they played.”