Pakistan locked horns against the West Indies in the first ODI of the three-match series on Friday (August 8) and it also marked Babar Azam's return to international cricket after almost five months. The former Pakistan captain is no longer part of the T20I squad, while Pakistan didn't play any Tests during this period. However, the break in play didn't affect Babar as he looked sublime during his 47-run knock in the 281-run chase. In the process, he also went past Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan in the list of players with the most runs in international cricket.
Babar has amassed 6282 runs now in 129 innings in ODIs at an average of 55.1 and a strike rate of 87.82. But he missed out on notching up his 38th fifty in the format by just three runs and already has scored 19 centuries. With his performance in the opening game of the series against the West Indies, he surpassed Shakib's tally in international cricket and has overall amassed 14740 in his international career.
Babar Azam quicker than Shakib in scoring runs
For the unversed, Shakib who hasn't played for Bangladesh since October 2024, has amassed 14730 runs across formats in his international career. He did so in 447 matches and 491 innings at an average of 33.86 with 14 centuries and 100 fifties to his name.
However, Babar Azam has managed to surpass Shakib's tally in just 319 matches (358 innings) at the international level with 31 centuries and 102 fifties to his credit.
Babar Azam missed out on big score
Having said that, Babar would be disappointed not to have scored big in the series opener against the West Indies. Pakistan chased down the 281-run target with five wickets in hand, thanks to a brilliant knock from the debutant Hasan Nawaz, who became the 14th player from the country to score a half-century on debut. Babar Azam will be keen on making amends now in the next game and help Pakistan seal the series with a game to go.
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