In the third ODI of the five-match series against New Zealand in Karachi, Pakistan’s excellent batsman and all-format captain Babar Azam has the potential to set a new world record. Azam needs just 73 more runs in his last five innings to surpass Hashim Amla’s record for the fastest 5,000-run milestone in ODI cricket. In 101 innings throughout his lengthy career, Amla has set the record.
With 95 innings pitched and an impressive average of 59.36 runs per, Azam has currently amassed 4,927 runs at a strike rate of 89.28. In addition, he has 25 fifties and 17 hundred.
After winning the first two matches, Pakistan has a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
It will be the Green Shirts’ first victory over the Black Caps since 2011 if they prevail in the current ODI series.
In the previous five-match Twenty20 series, the Black Caps stunned the host team by winning 2-2 despite missing eight players, including captain Kane Williamson, because of the ongoing Indian Premier League or injuries. Under temporary captain Tom Latham, New Zealand skillfully adapted to the circumstances, coming back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth games, with the fourth game being postponed due to weather.
Azam has led Pakistan to five wins in seven ODI series. His two defeats came in January of this year, one to New Zealand and the other to England.
But New Zealand can boast that it is currently leading Pakistan. New Zealand has won five and drawn one of their previous six ODI series against each other. Pakistan was their last opponent in a series they lost at home in 2011. The ODI games will be played in Karachi on May 3, 5, and 7.
In some ways, the tour serves as restitution for New Zealand’s decision to cancel their trip to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021 due to security concerns.
Just three months ago, the Black Caps played two tests and three one-day internationals in Pakistan.
