Babar Azam, the Pakistan cricket team captain, has achieved a significant milestone during the final of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand at the National Stadium on Friday. He became the joint-fastest batter to reach 6,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), matching the record set by South African legend Hashim Amla, who also reached the mark in 123 innings.Babar’s achievement not only made him the joint-fastest to this landmark, but he also became the fastest Asian batter to score 6,000 ODI runs, surpassing India’s Virat Kohli, who took 136 innings to reach the same feat. Babar's elegant cover drive off Jacob Duffy in the seventh over of the match helped him reach the milestone, marking a special moment in his illustrious career.
 

This milestone comes on the back of his previous record of becoming the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs in just 97 innings in May 2023. However, since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup, Babar has faced challenges in his form, with only two half-centuries in his last seven innings. The ongoing tri-series, a warm-up for the ICC Champions Trophy starting on February 19, has not been kind to him either. He was dismissed cheaply in the opening games, scoring just 10 against New Zealand and 23 against South Africa while chasing a big target.
 

In the final of the tri-series, Babar initially struggled to find his rhythm as he anchored Pakistan's innings after early wickets fell. However, he showed flashes of his trademark stability, scoring 24 not out at the end of the first powerplay. Unfortunately, he fell for 29 in the 12th over, mistiming a shot against Nathan Smith, leaving Pakistan at 54 for 3 in the chase.Despite his recent struggles, Babar Azam’s 6,000 ODI runs mark solidifies his position as one of the finest modern-day batters, and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upcoming Champions Trophy.