ICC ODI Rankings: Courtesy of a good ODI series in South Africa and also some consistent performances over the last few months, Babar Azam has snatched away the number one batsman’s position from Virat Kohli. Babar Azam has 865 points as against 857 by Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli was in the top position for 1258 days. The 26-year old Babar Azam is the first Pakistani to be the no. 1 ODI batsman since 2003 when Mohammed Yousuf occupied the top spot. Overall, he is only the fourth Pakistani to do so after Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Mohammed Yousuf.
Babar Azam made his debut for Pakistan in 2015. In 80 ODI matches he has 3808 runs including 13 hundreds at an average of 56.83. Yes, 56.83! This is the third-highest ODI average ever. His first hundred came against West Indies in 2016. Since then, he has been relentless. Babar Azam comes from Lahore and started his cricket from the streets. He was a tape ball player before entering the realms of professional cricket. He represented Pakistan U-19 at the age of 15 and was quite successful at it as well. In the 2009 U-19 World Cup, he scored 298 runs at an average of 59.60.
Still 26 and already the captain of Pakistan, Babar Azam is looking at some glorious years ahead.
Is there 'A New King In Town?'
However, Twitteratis from India as well as Pakistan saw a funny side to the story. Look at some of the hilarious tweets from both sides of the border.
Babar Azam will be playing in the 3rd T20I between South Africa and Pakistan at Supersport Park, Centurion on 14 April, 2021 at 6 pm IST.