Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has etched his name in the record books by completing 15,000 international runs during his team's thrilling 2-1 ODI series victory against South Africa. The landmark achievement came during the decisive third match where Pakistan secured a 28-run win to claim the series.
Historic Milestone for Pakistani Skipper
Babar Azam became only the second fastest Pakistani batsman to reach the 15,000-run milestone in international cricket, achieving this feat in his 348th innings across all formats. The 29-year-old batting maestro now stands behind legendary Javed Miandad, who reached the same landmark in 327 innings.
The Pakistani captain reached this significant milestone during the third ODI against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday. His consistent performance across all three formats - Tests, ODIs, and T20Is - has cemented his position as one of the modern greats of the game.
Series Decider Showdown
The third and final ODI proved to be a nail-biting encounter that ultimately went Pakistan's way. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 320 for 7 in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a spectacular century from opener Fakhar Zaman, who smashed 101 runs off just 104 deliveries.
Fakhar's brilliant knock included 9 boundaries and 3 sixes, providing Pakistan with the perfect platform. Captain Babar Azam contributed significantly with 94 runs, falling just short of what would have been a well-deserved century. The middle order provided valuable contributions with Mohammad Rizwan scoring 77 and Agha Salman adding 31 runs to the total.
South Africa's bowling attack was led by Lizaad Williams, who claimed 3 wickets for 40 runs, while Gerald Coetzee took 2 wickets despite conceding 70 runs.
Proteas Fight Back Falls Short
In response, South Africa put up a spirited chase but ultimately fell 28 runs short, being bowled out for 292 in 49.5 overs. The Proteas' innings saw several promising starts but lacked the substantial partnerships needed to chase down the target.
Rassie van der Dussen top-scored for the home side with 62 runs, while Aiden Markram contributed 60 runs. Heinrich Klaasen provided some late fireworks with 36 runs, but the Pakistani bowling attack maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings.
The bowling honors for Pakistan were shared among multiple contributors. Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 40 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 2 for 61. The supporting cast of Mohammad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Agha Salman each chipped in with crucial wickets at important moments.
Series Recap and Looking Ahead
The ODI series victory marks an important achievement for Pakistan cricket as they continue to build momentum ahead of major international tournaments. The series began with South Africa winning the first match by 7 wickets, but Pakistan bounced back strongly to take the second game by 7 wickets before clinching the decider.
Babar Azam's leadership and batting form will be crucial for Pakistan as they prepare for upcoming challenges. The captain's achievement of 15,000 international runs at such a relatively young age suggests that many more records could tumble in the coming years.
The series win against South Africa provides valuable confidence boost for the Pakistani team management and players alike. With the T20 World Cup and other major tournaments on the horizon, such performances against quality opposition will be vital for team morale and development.
As cricket fans celebrate another milestone in Babar Azam's illustrious career, the focus now shifts to how this Pakistani team can build on this success and continue to compete at the highest level of international cricket.
