Afghanistan opener joins Babar, Pietersen as fastest to 2,000 ODI runs, only behind Gill and Amla

Afghanistan’s 24-year-old Ibrahim Zadran on August 12 became the joint third-fastest to 2,000 runs in ODI cricket. In the fourth ODI of the series against Ireland, Zadran scored 107 runs from 118 balls, his seventh century in the format. He completed 2,000 ODI runs from 45 innings, the same as Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas, England's Kevin Pietersen, Pakistan's Babar Azam and South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen. The fastest to achieve the feat is India's ODI skipper Shubman Gill. He did it in 38 innings, breaking South Africa’s Hashim Amla’s record from 40 innings.

Zadran also became the fifth-fastest to seven ODI centuries. The top spot belongs to Babar (33 innings), followed by teammate Imam-ul-Haq (46 innings), Amla (41 innings) and Abbas (42 innings).

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Zadran also became the seventh Afghanistan batter to complete 2,000 ODI runs. The top spot belongs to Rahmat Shah (4,157 runs), followed by Mohammad Nabi (3,792 runs), Mohammad Shahzad (2,727 runs), Hashmatullah Shahid (2,672 runs), Asghar Afghan (2,424 runs) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (2,151 runs).

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Zadran also surpassed Shahzad on the list of most ODI centuries for Afghanistan. Zadran is now placed second, just below Gurbaz with nine ODI centuries.

Zadran, Atal propel Afghanistan to ODI best

Zadran shared a 231-run partnership for the second wicket with Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan’s third-highest for any wicket in ODIs. Afghanistan went on to score 343/9 in Belfast, their highest ever ODI score. Atal starred with a 143-run knock from 120 balls. In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 301 from 48 overs, losing the match by 42 runs despite opener Andy Balbirnie’s 10th ODI century and all-rounder Curtis Campher’s lightning 46-ball 84. Afghanistan took a 3-0 lead in the five-ODI series. 

Where is Ibrahim Zadran in ICC ODI batter rankings?

Zadran is currently ranked fifth in ICC ODI rankings for batters. He has scored 203 runs already in the ongoing series against Ireland. He is likely to close the gap between him and fourth-ranked India opener Rohit Sharma.

Afghanistan’s next match?

The dead rubber of the ODI series will be played on August 14. Afghanistan will then head to India for a three-T20I series in September.