Pakistan beats Kiwis in 4th ODI to become world number one, Babar scores 2 more records
In response to Pakistan's 334 runs, Kiwis piled on 232 runs, Osama Meer took 4 wickets, Babar Azam became to score 18 fastest centuries and 5,000 runs, Pakistan became number one for first time since publication of world rankings in 2005
Pakistan won 4 ODIs in a row against New Zealand and secured first position in world ODI rankings.
Babar Azam became fastest batsman to score 18 centuries and 5000 runs in ODIs.
In fourth ODI played at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, New Zealand won the toss and invited the Pakistan team to bat. Pakistan scored 334 runs against New Zealand for loss of 6 players in scheduled 50 overs.
A clinical win for Pakistan takes them 4-0 up and to No. 1 in the ICC ODI Team Rankings https://t.co/KO9r3vvwNt | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/8hPUWXIdrI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 5, 2023
Babar Azam played an innings of 107 runs with help of 10 fours. Agha Salman scored 58 runs, Shan Masood scored 44 runs and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 28 runs.
Chasing a target of 335 runs, the New Zealand team collapsed for 232 runs in 43.4 overs. Tom Latham scored 60 and Mark Chapman scored 46 runs. Daryl Mitchell scored 34, Tom Blundell 23, Val Young 15, and James Neesham scored 11 runs. Ash Sodhi scored 9 and Cole McConchie scored 8 runs. Blair Tickner scored 6 runs and Matt Henry scored 5 runs.
On behalf of Pakistan, Osama Mir 4 and Mohammad Wasim dismissed 3 players. Haris Rauf 2 and Shaheen Shah Afridi took 1 wicket. Babar Azam was named Man of the Match for scoring a brilliant century to lay the foundation for the win.
Skipper @babarazam258 is the player of the match for his remarkable #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/yiAXKqFu4L
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
After the success in the fourth ODI, Pakistan got the first position in the ICC ODI ranking.
Pakistan has topped the ICC ODI rankings for the first time since the official release of the ICC rankings in 2005. The national team celebrated becoming world number one by clapping in the dressing room at the end of the match.
After the victory in fourth ODI, Pakistan’s total rating points have become 113.483, Australia’s rating points are 113.286, and India’s rating points are 112.638.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
If Pakistan wins even the fifth match, its leaders will be clear, but the rankings may change after the annual update of ODI rankings in mid-May.
On the other hand, in the 4th ODI against New Zealand, world number one Babar Azam achieved 2 important records in ODIs. Babar Azam became the batsman who scored 18 centuries in the shortest innings.
Celebrating another record broken by the No.1 ODI batter @babarazam258 – the quickest to 5️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in the format #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/brUFZRxYzF
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
After scoring his 18th century in the 97th innings, the Pakistan captain became the first batsman to achieve feat in less than 100 innings. Earlier, Hashim Amla had achieved the feat in 102 innings, David Warner in 115 innings and Kohli in 119 innings. .
Meanwhile, Babar Azam crossed the milestone of 5000 runs thanks to his century in the fourth ODI. He became the fastest batsman to score 5000 runs in ODIs.
Babar Azam is the first cricketer to score 5000 runs in less than 100 innings, he crossed this milestone in 97th innings. South Africa’s Hashim Amla scored 5000 runs in 101 matches, Viv Richards and Virat Kohli 114, 114. Babar Azam is the 14th Pakistani to complete 5000 ODI runs.
