PAK vs SA: Pakistan's Babar Azam Shatters MS Dhoni's Record

Babar Azam scored 73 runs off 95 balls against South Africa in PAK vs SA 2nd ODI. His half-century allowed him to surpass MS Dhoni's record.

Babar Azam breaks MS Dhoni's record: Pakistan attained a thumping 81-run win over South Africa in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match series on December 19, clinching PAK vs SA ODI series 2-0. Babar Azam's performance in PAK vs SA 2nd ODI saw him shatter multiple records, including surpassing a major milestone set by former India captain MS Dhoni.

Babar Azam scored 73 runs off 95 balls against South Africa in PAK vs SA 2nd ODI. His half-century allowed him to surpass MS Dhoni's record for most half-centuries against "SENA countries" (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). Dhoni had 38 such half-centuries, but Babar now leads the tally with 39.

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Babar's latest half-century ties him with Mohammad Yousuf for the second-most half-centuries by a Pakistani player, with both players sitting at 95. Inzamam-ul-Haq remains the record-holder with 129 half-centuries across formats (Tests, ODIs and T20Is).

Babar's other milestones in 2024

9,000 List A Runs: With his latest fifty against Proteas, Babar Azam reached the 9,000-run milestone in List A cricket in just 186 innings. His career stats include 30 centuries and 50 half-centuries.

1,000 ODI Runs in 2024: Babar crossed the 1,000-run mark for the calendar year, amassing 1,062 runs in 36 innings across 33 matches with an average of 32.18.

Pakistan clinch PAK vs SA ODIs 2-0

Pakistan, batting first, posted 329/10 in 49.5 overs, thanks to contributions from Mohammad Rizwan (80), Kamran Ghulam (63), and Babar Azam. In response, South Africa managed only 248 runs in 43.1 overs as Pakistan's bowlers dominated the innings at Cape Town. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah shone with the ball by taking 4 and 3 wickets, respectively. The third and final ODI between the two teams will be played on Sunday (December 22).

Riding high on their momentum, Pakistan will aim for a clean sweep in PAK vs SA ODI series during the 'Pink ODI,' scheduled for Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Johannesburg.