The Pakistan cricket group on Friday reached a brand new excessive because it grew to become the No. 1 ODI aspect in International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings. Babar Azam scored an excellent century Friday to assist carry Pakistan to the highest of the ODI rankings after a thumping 102-run victory within the fourth match towards New Zealand in Karachi. Azam stroked a 117-ball 107 and in addition grew to become the quickest batter to achieve 5,000 ODI runs, as his group made 334-6 of their 50 overs.
His 18th ODI hundred took him previous the mark in his 97th innings within the format, beating former South Africa batter Hashim Amla‘s earlier document of 101 innings. New Zealand had been bowled out for 232 in 43.4 overs with skipper Tom Latham (60), Mark Chapman (46) and Daryl Mitchell (34) providing some resistance.
Congratulations, Pakistan
They go to the highest of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings pic.twitter.com/GUq2CjOEoK
— ICC (@ICC) May 5, 2023
Leg-spinner Usama Mir led Pakistan’s bowling cost with a career-best 4-43 whereas pacers Mohammad Wasim (3-40) and Haris Rauf (2-37) additionally impressed The win gave Pakistan a 4-0 lead within the five-match collection and took them to primary for the primary time for the reason that International Cricket Council formally recognised the rankings in 2005. Pakistan’s earlier highest ODI rating was third which they attained in January 2018 and once more in June 2022.
After the most recent rankings had been revealed, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had a refined message for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asia Cricket Council (ACC). “Perfect timing to realize No1. ODI rankings. This, supported by excessive rankings of Babar, Fakhar, Imam, Shaheen and Shadab, will make the ACC, ICC and their sponsors suppose arduous earlier than making any selections. Pakistan is a power and so they have demonstrated this once more. Well carried out lads. @ICC @TheRealPCBMedia #BabarAzam,” he write on Twitter.
Over the previous couple of months, there was plenty of hypothesis concerning the ultimate venue of the Asia Cup, which is slated to be held in Pakistan. After ACC head and BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that India will not be travelling to Pakistan for the continental occasion, there was many theories concerning how the event will happen. From hybrid mannequin the place India’s matches is likely to be performed at a impartial venue to the event getting postponed, the report have been various. Some studies even urged that Pakistan would possibly rethink its resolution to journey to India for the 2023 World Cup, if the Asia Cup isn’t held of their nation, nonetheless there was no official affirmation concerning the identical. In the center of this. Latif’s message has come.
Perfect timing to realize No1. ODI rankings. This, supported by excessive rankings of Babar, Fakhar, Imam, Shaheen and Shadab, will make the ACC, ICC and their sponsors suppose arduous earlier than making any selections. Pakistan is a power and so they have demonstrated this once more.
Well carried out lads…. pic.twitter.com/sgjSnkUT58— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) May 5, 2023
Talking concerning the recreation, Azam starred along with his thirtieth ton in all worldwide cricket after New Zealand gained the toss and put the hosts in to bat at National Stadium. The 28-year-old beat Amla’s document when he reached 19.
He added 50 for the second wicket with Shan Masood (44), 127 for the fourth wicket with Agha Salman (58) and one other 41 for the sixth with Iftikhar Ahmed who scored 28.
Azam, who has been the primary ODI batter for the final two years, hit 10 boundaries earlier than he was caught at deep mid-wicket off debutant Ben Lister within the forty eighth over Azam is the 14th Pakistani to attain 5,000 or extra runs in ODI cricket, with former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq high of the listing with 11,701.
He can also be the quickest to 18 ODI a whole lot, beating Amla’s document of 102 innings.
With AFP inputs
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