Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has become the second-fastest to 4,000 ODI runs. Azam achieved the feat with a 57-run knock against Australia in the first ODI of the three-ODI series sagianst Australia at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Azam reached the milestone from 82 innings, just one shy of former South African opener Hashim Amla's record. He surpassed legendary Viv Richards comfortably on the list. Richards breached the 4,000-run mark from 88 innings in the 50-over format.
Richards is followed by Joe Root (91 innings), Virat Kohli and David Warner (93 innings), Quinton de Kock (94 innings), Shikhar Dhawan (95 innings), Gordon Greenidge and Kane Williamson (96 innings), and Brian Lara (100 innings).
Earlier Azam was third-fastest (67 innings) to 3,000 ODI runs, joint second-fastest to 2,000 ODI runs and joint third-fastest to 1,000 ODI runs.
Azam came in to bat in the fifth over of Pakistan's run chase of 314. He scored 57 runs from 72 deliveries including six boundaries. He stitched a 96-run partnership for the second wicket with opener Imam-ul-Haq. He was trapped in front of the stumps by Australian leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in the 25th over of the run chase.
Earlier Azam won the toss and elected to field first. Promoted up the order, Travis Head led from the front and scored a 72-ball 101. Head's quickfire 101 included 12 fours and three sixes. Part from Head, Ben McDermott scored 55 runs from 70 deliveries. In the death overs, all-rounder Cameron Green contributed with an unbeaten 40 off 30 deliveries to guide the visitors to a score of 313/7.
