Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Babar Azam reaches 16,000 international runs for Pakistan
Babar Azam reached 16,000 international runs during Pakistan’s ODI tri-series opener against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
He is the fifth Pakistan batter to reach the milestone, after Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad.
Azam needed seven runs and went on to make 45 runs from 57 balls before being caught off Eshan Malinga.
His dismissal to a short ball continued a recurring weakness in his recent form.
The issue could matter at the 2027 World Cup, which will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where pitches often offer pace and bounce.
Pakistan need Azam scoring runs, and former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said his place in the ODI side could be questioned if his form does not improve.
Babar Azam became the fifth Pakistani batter to score 16,000 international runs across formats.
He reached the milestone during Pakistan’s ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Babar needed seven runs before the match and scored 45 off 57 balls, including six fours.
He reached the mark in 399 innings, the third-fastest for Pakistan, according to The Hawk.
He was later dismissed by Eshan Malinga after being caught by Pavan Rathnayake, according to Gulf News.
- Who
- Babar Azam, Pakistan batter.
- What
- He reached 16,000 international runs across formats, becoming the fifth Pakistani batter to do so.
- When
- Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
- Why
- He needed seven runs to reach the milestone and scored enough during the ODI match against Sri Lanka.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Babar needed seven runs to reach 16,000 international runs.
Babar reached the milestone during Pakistan’s ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Babar was dismissed for 45 off 57 balls.
- Milestone
- 16,000 international runs
- Rank among Pakistan batters
- Fifth
- Innings to milestone
- 399
- Match score
- 45 runs off 57 balls
- Match venue
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium