Babar Azam has been one of Pakistan’s finest batsman fore quite some time. He oozes class, style and a record that puts him in the class of some of the greatest players of all time.
Comparisons are inevitably drawn with his rival from across the border, Indian captain Virat Kohli. Although Kohli has been around much longer and has plethora of records under his belt, Babar Azam is seen by many as the one who can challenge him for top honours and break his records. Already Babar Azam has overtaken some of Kohli’s records.
Here we look at 5 more records of Virat Kohli that Babar Azam can break in the coming years.
1. Fastest to 8,000 ODI runs.
Babar Azam has played 81 ODI innings for the Pakistan. The 26-year-old batsman has aggregated 3,985 runs at an impressive batting average of 56.93. Babar has recorded 14 centuries and 17 fifties in the 50-over format so far.
Virat Kohli scored 8000 ODI runs in 175 innings. As such Babar needs to score 4,015 runs in his next 93 innings. Given his current average and his ability to convert 50’s into 100’s this is a record he could break within 175 innings.
2. Most Test double centuries as a captain.
Kohli has smashed seven double hundreds in Test cricket. He scored his maiden Test double hundred against the West Indies cricket team at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium in 2016. His highest score is 254* against South Africa.
Babar was recently appointed as Test captain for Pakistan and now has a chance to add to this record to his tally. Although he is yet to score a double hundred, his ability to score quick and play long innings certainly fills his fans with optimism. Babar also has a first class highest score of 266.
3. Fastest to reach 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year.
Virat Kohli holds the record for reaching 1000 runs the quickest in a calendar year. He became the new holder of this record in October 2018. He achieved this feat in just eleven innings.
Babar Azam has shown ability to score runs against different oppositions in various conditions. If he can kick start a calendar year with a great run of form , you would back him to break Virat Kohli’s record of the fastest batsman to 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year.
4. Most ODI centuries as a captain in a calendar year.
Virat Kohli also holds the record for the most ODI hundreds by a captain in a calendar year. That tells you about the greatness and standard of one of the great’s of modern era. In 2017 and 2018, Kohli scored six ODI centuries each.
If Babar shows the consistency he has so far in his career and Pakistan play regular cricket, he would be a strong favourite to break that record. Considering the fact he has already 14 centuries to his name, regular game time for Pakistan could mean their skipper can add another accolade to his already magnificent career.
5. Most ODI centuries in run chases.
Kohli relishes chasing in ODI cricket and it is demonstrated by the fact that the India captain has most ODI centuries when his side are batting second. He has recorded 26 centuries in run-chases. He holds the record for the most ODI centuries in run chases.
Babar Azam so far has 3 centuries to his name while chasing in ODI’s. This record is a bit far fetched right now, but if Babar is to be on the same pedestal as Virat he would have to go close to breaking this amazing record.
Babar Azam’s form and his performance so far suggest that he is quite capable of breaking these records. If he does that he would be surely remembered as a great of the game for years to come.
