Babar Azam, the Pakistani cricket captain, is on a record-breaking spree, setting new milestones with each game he plays. Currently, he's on the verge of surpassing a significant achievement held by Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli. As the Asia Cup showdown between India and Pakistan looms, all eyes are on Babar to see if he will eclipse Kohli's record.
A Performance for the Ages
In the opening match of the Asia Cup 2023, Babar Azam delivered a masterclass, scoring a staggering 151 runs off 131 balls against Nepal. This Herculean effort led Pakistan to a resounding victory by a margin of 238 runs. Babar's innings was adorned with 14 boundaries and four maximums, marking his 19th century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). With this feat, he shattered previous records, becoming the quickest to reach 19 ODI centuries. Previously, Hashim Amla held this record with 104 innings, followed by Virat Kohli with 124, David Warner with 139, and AB de Villiers with 171 innings.
Closing in on a Captaincy Milestone
💯💯 Centurions Iftikhar Ahmed and Babar Azam review the Asia Cup opener and talk about the support from the Multan crowd 🌟#PAKvNEP | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/dsGHkS7ZYT
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 30, 2023
Babar Azam is not just setting records as a batsman; he's also on the cusp of a significant captaincy milestone. He is a mere six runs away from amassing 2,000 runs as an ODI captain. Kohli achieved this feat in 36 innings, but Babar is poised to surpass this in just 31 innings. Currently, he has accumulated 1,994 runs in 30 innings, making it highly probable that he will outdo Kohli during the ongoing Asia Cup.
Breaking Amla's Record Too
In addition to his other accomplishments, Babar has also outdone Hashim Amla in terms of runs scored in the first 102 innings. While Amla had scored 5,165 runs, Babar has already amassed 5,353 runs, setting yet another benchmark in international cricket.
The Babar vs Kohli Showdown
The upcoming Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan on September 2nd promises to be more than just a game; it's a clash between two cricketing titans—Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. While Kohli has been relatively quiet in the ODI scene this year, he remains in fine form. On the flip side, Babar is in the form of his life, consistently churning out runs and currently holding the title of the World's No. 1 batter in ODIs.
More Than Just Personal Records
While the spotlight will undoubtedly be on these two phenomenal players, what truly matters to both is securing a win for their respective teams. The Asia Cup serves as a crucial preparatory ground for all teams eyeing the upcoming World Cup, making every match a high-stakes affair.
So, as the cricketing world eagerly anticipates this epic duel, it's not just about individual glory. It's about leading their teams to victory on one of the biggest stages in world cricket.