Babar Azam surpasses Saeed Anwar's record in ICC tournaments
What's the story
Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam has scripted history by becoming the fastest Pakistani to score 1,000 runs in ICC tournaments.
He achieved the milestone during the ongoing high-stakes match against India at the ICC Champions Trophy.
Although he only managed to score 23 runs in the game, it was enough for Azam to break Saeed Anwar's record.
Currently, Azam owns 1,014 runs which he amassed in 24 ICC tournament innings.
Here are more details.
Career progression
Azam's journey to the record
Azam's road to this record started with his Champions Trophy debut in 2017, where he scored a brilliant 133.
His performance played a crucial role in Pakistan's win in that edition.
He further impressed at the 2019 World Cup, scoring an astonishing 474 runs at 67, including a century.
Notably, Aazam is just the third Pakistani player to cross the 1,000 runs mark in ICC tournaments.
The other two players include Saeed Anwar (25 innings) and Javed Miandad (30 innings ).
Current form
Azam's performance in the ongoing Champions Trophy
In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Azam scored a slow 64 runs in their first match against New Zealand.
However, his slow pace in a mammoth chase came under heavy fire.
Nevertheless, his overall performance is still commendable as he continues to be Pakistan's trump card in ICC tournaments.
Runs
A breakdown of Azam's runs in ICC tournaments
Azam has scored 794 runs in 17 World Cup matches at an impressive 52.93 average across the 2019 and 2023 editions.
He added 220 runs in seven Champions Trophy innings, though with a lower 44 average.
In World Cups, he has a century and seven fifties, while in the Champions Trophy, he has managed just one half-century across the 2017 and 2025 editions.
First innings
Champions Trophy: India restrict Pakistan to 241 in Dubai
India restricted Pakistan to 241 in their Champions Trophy encounter in Dubai. The Men in Green struggled in the middle overs after electing to bat first.
The dry nature of Dubai's pitch assisted the Indian spinners, especially Yadav, who took three wickets.
Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel was Pakistan's only half-centurion of the match.
Among other bowlers, Hardik Pandya bagged two wickets, while Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel returned with one scalp each.
Stats
Babar Azam's ODI stats at a glance
The batter who just crossed the 6,000-run mark in ODIs, now owns 6,106 runs.
Across 128 ODIs he averages 55-plus, while he also owns a strike rate of 87-plus.
Over 125 innings he has smoked 19 tons alongside 35 fifties. His highest ODI score reads 158, which he smashed against England in 2021.