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Pakistan's Babar equals ODI batting record

Babar Azam has made 84 off 100 balls to help Pakistan to 7-263 against Australia in Perth, equalling the record as the fastest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs.

Pakistan's Babar Azam has joined elite company, equalling the record as the fastest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs.

Babar's 84 in the third one-dayer against Australia on Thursday at the WACA Ground took his career ODI tally to 1037 runs.

The 22-year-old reached the 1000-run mark in just his 21st innings - equalling the feats of Sir Viv Richards, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Quinton de Kock.

The record comes at the perfect time for Babar, who is still looking to put his nightmare Test series against Australia behind him.

He scored only 68 runs at an average of 11 during the 3-0 Test whitewash, but bounced back in the ODI series with scores of 33, 34 and 84.

His ODI average has climbed to 51.85.

In contrast, he averages just 27.3 from six Tests.

Babar's knock in Perth wasn't without drama.

He survived a lbw review when he was on eight, with the replay showing a thick inside edge.

And he was given lives on 30, 55 and 74 when Australia grassed a series of tough chances.

James Faulkner was the first to put him down when he couldn't quite clasp onto a tricky, low return catch.

Then in the 34th over, a leaping Steve Smith put in a superhuman effort just to get his hand to the ball at mid-wicket, but he couldn't quite reel in the catch.

And Pat Cummins couldn't hold onto a one-handed return catch that came flying at him in the 39th over.

Babar's luck finally ran out in the 43rd over when debutant Peter Handscomb took a sharp catch just millimetres above the grass in the deep.

His 100-ball knock helped Pakistan to reach 7-263.

FASTEST TO 1000 ODI RUNS:

* 21 innings - Babar Azam (Pakistan)

* 21 innings - Sir Viv Richards (West Indies)

* 21 innings - Kevin Pietersen (England)

* 21 innings - Jonathan Trott (England)

* 21 innings - Quinton de Kock (South Africa)


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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