Pakistan's modern batting genius Babar Azam is standing at the doorstep of history once again. As Pakistan begin their three-match ODI series against South Africa at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, all eyes will be on the former captain — because two of cricket’s grand milestones are now just within his reach.
At only 31 years of age, Babar has already become the face of Pakistan cricket and one of the most admired batters across the world. His classic stroke play, unmatched consistency, and hunger for big runs have brought him to a point where he is about to rewrite Pakistan’s ODI history books.
This series is not just another run of matches — it could be the moment the world witnesses a record-breaking transformation in Pakistan cricket's batting legacy.
✅ Milestone 1: Most ODI Centuries by a Pakistani Batter
Right now, this record belongs to legendary opening batter Saeed Anwar with 20 centuries — a record that has stood strong for over two decades.
📊 Most ODI Centuries by Pakistan Batters
| Rank | Player | Centuries | Matches | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saeed Anwar | 20 | 247 | 244 |
| 2 | Babar Azam | 19* | 134 | 131 |
| 3 | Mohammad Yousuf | 15 | 281 | 273 |
| 4 | Fakhar Zaman | 11 | 82 | 82 |
| 5 | Mohammad Hafeez | 11 | 218 | 203 |
📌 Babar needs just one more century to equal Saeed Anwar.
📌 Two centuries — and Babar becomes the undisputed No.1 in Pakistan cricket history.
But what makes this moment even more special?
➡️ Babar will achieve it in far fewer matches and innings than Anwar — showing just how extraordinary he is.
✅ Milestone 2: Fastest Ever to 20 ODI Centuries (World Record Race)
Another remarkable milestone awaits…
If Babar scores a century in the next two innings, he will become:
🏆 The 2nd fastest batter in ODI history
to score 20 hundreds — faster than Virat Kohli!
📊 Fastest Players to 20 ODI Centuries
| Rank | Player | Innings to Reach 20 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hashim Amla (SA) | 108 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli (IND) | 133 |
| – | Babar Azam (PAK) | 131* (needs within 2 innings) |
| 3 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 175 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma (IND) | 183 |
✔ Babar currently: 19 centuries in 131 innings
✔ Score one ton now → Record tied with Kohli
✔ Score one ton in either of next two innings → Record broken!
This milestone would place Babar among the fastest scoring elites the game has ever seen.
⭐ Why Babar Azam Stands Apart from His Generation
Cricket legends and analysts frequently note that Babar plays the ODI format better than anyone in the world right now. While others struggle across formats, Babar continues to excel with elegance and consistency.
Strengths That Define His Brilliance
✅ Perfect timing + stylish cover drives
✅ High strike rotation in the middle overs
✅ Ability to build long innings
✅ No weaknesses against pace or spin
✅ Big match temperament
✅ Leading run-scorer consistently from 2019–2023
He is one of the very few modern batters who averages:
🔥 50+ in ODIs
🔥 While batting at No. 3
🔥 And delivering tons regularly
🏟️ A Historic Venue Returns: Cricket Back in Faisalabad
Iqbal Stadium hosts its first ODI since 2008 — 17 years later. The excitement is unreal:
📌 Last ODI here: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets
📌 Fans finally see full international cricket return
And what better stage for a record than a home ground full of roaring fans?
Pakistan vs. South Africa ODI Series ✅
- 1st ODI – November 4
- 2nd ODI – November 6
- 3rd ODI – November 8
This series could be remembered forever — as the series where Babar rewrote history.
🔥 How Close Is Babar to All-Time ODI Greats?
Let’s compare Babar with three modern icons:
| Player | Matches | ODI Avg | Strike Rate | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 292 | 58+ | 93 | 50+ |
| Rohit Sharma | 262 | 49 | 89 | 30+ |
| Babar Azam | 134 | 56+ | 88 | 19 |
Even in half their matches —
➡️ Babar’s stats match or surpass them!
Imagine what his numbers could look like after 250+ matches…
🎯 Why These Records Matter for Pakistan Cricket
For years, Pakistan struggled to develop a world-class batting identity after legends like Yousuf, Anwar, and Inzamam.
Then came Babar Azam — ranked No.1 batter in ODIs for 1,200+ days, a record for Pakistan.
These milestones…
✅ Inspire young batters
✅ Prove Pakistan can produce the world's best once again
✅ Strengthen Pakistan’s future World Cup hopes
Every century Babar scores lifts the nation’s cricketing pride.
🗣️ What Cricket Experts Are Saying
Former players and analysts worldwide admire Babar’s grace and consistency:
“Babar is the most complete batter in modern-day ODI cricket.”
— Michael Vaughan
“He makes batting look effortless. A class apart.”
— Ian Bishop
Even Indian fans admit — when Babar is batting, you cannot look away.
🔍 Stats: Babar Azam’s ODI Dominance Since 2019
| Year | Matches | Runs | Avg | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20 | 1092 | 60+ | 3 |
| 2021 | 12 | 405 | 67 | 2 |
| 2022 | 9 | 679 | 84 | 3 |
| 2023 | 19 | 1065 | 57 | 4 |
| 2024–25 | Ongoing | Rising | – | – |
No other Pakistani batter has been this consistent in recent years.
🔥 Records Babar Can Break Soon
| Milestone | Required | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Most ODI centuries for Pakistan | 1 more | 🔜 Almost done |
| 2nd fastest to 20 ODI tons | Within next 2 inns | 🔜 Very close |
| 5000 ODI runs as captain | 200+ needed | 🕒 In progress |
| Most ODI runs in a calendar year (Pak) | Can break again | ✅ Possible in 2026 |
His journey is far from over — many more milestones ahead.
🧠 Tactical Importance of Babar at No.3
Why is Babar perfect at this position?
- Pakistan often loses early wickets
- No.3 protects against collapse
- He anchors while others attack
- Converts good starts into big scores
📍 Strategy: Stable foundation → power hitting later
With young players like Abdullah, Saim, and Rizwan around him, Pakistan’s top order is now one of the most exciting in world cricket.
🎉 How Pakistan Fans Are Celebrating Already
Across social media, Pakistan fans are trending:
- #KingBabar
- #BabarAzam20thCentury
- #BabarAzamTheGOAT
Watching Babar chase records has become a national celebration every time he walks to the crease.
🏏 Head-to-Head: Pakistan vs South Africa in ODIs
| Result | Count |
|---|---|
| Pakistan wins | 34 |
| South Africa wins | 52 |
| No Result | 1 |
South Africa have historically dominated…
But with Babar in form, Pakistan fans believe this is their time.
🔔 What Happens If Babar Scores the Ton in Faisalabad?
✅ A stadium full of emotions
✅ Social media goes wild
✅ A national celebration
✅ Babar Azam = New Pakistani Record Holder
✅ Babar Azam = Among the World’s Fastest ODI Centurions
It could be a career-defining moment.
✅ Conclusion: A New Era of Pakistani Batting Greatness
Babar Azam is no longer just Pakistan’s best current batter —
He is becoming one of the greatest ever to wear the green star.
These upcoming ODIs are more than matches…
They are the final steps toward cricketing immortality.
Whether he equals or breaks the records in the first match or the third —
Pakistan knows that moment is coming.
And when it does…
✨ A new history will be written
✨ A new king will be crowned
✨ An entire nation will rise in celebration