🇵🇰🔥Faisalabad, Pakistan: As Pakistan gears up to face South Africa in the opening ODI at Iqbal Stadium, all eyes are on Babar Azam, the nation’s star batter and former captain, who stands on the brink of rewriting cricket history.
After a strong finish in the T20 series — where Babar smashed a match-winning 68-run knock — fans are buzzing with excitement, hoping the King of Pakistani batting will continue his form into the 50-over format. The three-match ODI series begins tomorrow (November 4), and Babar has several major records within his reach.
Chasing Legends and Making History
So far, Babar has scored 19 ODI centuries in 134 matches. If he scores another hundred in the first ODI, he’ll equal Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries, a national milestone that has stood unchallenged for 22 years.
More impressively, Babar’s next century would also help him surpass global icons like Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Joe Root, further cementing his place among cricket’s modern greats.
A Historic 15,000 International Runs Awaits
Babar Azam is also just 41 runs away from completing 15,000 international runs, a feat achieved by only four other Pakistani players before him. 👑🔥 Once he crosses this mark, he will become the fifth Pakistani to reach this prestigious milestone — a testament to his consistency, class, and dominance across all formats of the game.
Even Without a Century, History Awaits
If Babar doesn’t reach three figures but scores a fifty-plus innings, it will mark his 57th 50+ ODI score, moving him ahead of cricket greats like Sir Viv Richards and Virender Sehwag. This achievement would also see him join elite names such as Graeme Smith, Stephen Fleming, and Nathan Astle.
The Stage: Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium
The historic Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad is ready for action as both teams prepare for the three day-night ODIs scheduled for November 4, 6, and 8. After drawing the Test series and winning the T20s 2–1, Pakistan will enter the ODIs full of confidence and momentum.
Experts Weigh In
Cricket analysts believe this series could mark a turning point in Babar Azam’s career. A strong performance against South Africa would not only revive his form but could also propel him back up the ICC ODI rankings and silence critics who doubted his consistency earlier this year.
Sports experts highlight that Babar’s ability to adapt under pressure and anchor innings in challenging conditions remains Pakistan’s biggest weapon heading into the series.
What’s Next for the King?
With form, pride, and records on the line, the upcoming ODI series isn’t just another contest — it’s Babar Azam’s chance to reaffirm his status as one of world cricket’s elite. Whether he equals Saeed Anwar’s milestone, surpasses legends, or hits the 15,000-run mark, one thing’s for sure — the cricket world will be watching Faisalabad.