Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, made history on Monday by becoming the first Pakistani player to accumulate the most international runs in a calendar year.
During the opening session of the first Test matchup between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, the prolific right-hander reached the milestone.
Babar broke Mohammad Yousuf’s 2006 record of 2435 runs after collecting his 13th run. The captain amassed over 1,000 runs in the red ball phase of the game and 735 runs in T20, 679 runs in ODI.
Babar also equaled Sri Lankan batting legend Kumar Sangakkara’s record of 25, the most 50-plus runs in a calendar year, after smashing half a tonne in today’s Test. The Sri Lankan batter accomplished this achievement in 2014.
In the first game taking place at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Pakistan was up 115-4 to New Zealand at the break.
Babar earlier chose to bat against New Zealand in the first Test match in Karachi after winning the toss.
𝟐𝟒𝟑𝟔* – @babarazam258 has now scored the most runs for a 🇵🇰 batter in international cricket in a calendar year#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/rF6JPVWD6d
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 26, 2022
Test Feat
In the Test series against England last week, Babar Azam became the sole sixth Pakistani to accumulate 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year.
On the third day of the Karachi Test, the right-handed hitter attained this milestone when his innings reached 45. Babar, however, was dismissed despite scoring 54.
Babar is the sixth cricketer from Pakistan to accomplish this accomplishment, since Younis Khan twice did it. Seventh time a Pakistani batsman scored 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year.
Younis, a former captain, amassed 1,179 runs in 2006 and an additional 1,064 runs in 2014. With 1,788 runs in the year 2006, Mohammad Yousuf has the most runs on the chart. Azhar Ali (1,198 in 2016), Inzamam-ul-Haq (1,090 in 2000), and Mohsin Khan are other Pakistani batters on the list (1,029 in 1982).
Before Babar, only three other batters had amassed 1,000 runs for the year. Joe Root of England has 1,098 runs in 27 innings, Usman Khawaja of Australia has 1,079 runs in 19 innings, and Jonny Bairstow of England has 1,061 runs in 19 innings.
With 871 points, the star performer is ranked third in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) career-best rankings.
Following Australians Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who are in the top and second positions, respectively, follows Babar in third place.