Pakistani fans are hopeful that the skipper of Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, has toppled Indian skipper Virat Kohli from the top ICC ODI rankings.
Fans are running social media trends celebrating the feat of Babar Azam that he achieved in the last ODI match against South Africa on Wednesday where Pakistan won the series against South Africa 2-1.
Babar Azam scored 94 runs and which has led fans to believe that he has toppled Virat Kohli in the list of ICC ODI ranking as he was five points behind Virat Kohli. He only needed 70 more runs to secure the top position. Fans believe Babar Azam has passed the hurdle.
https://twitter.com/hamzabutt61/status/1379988950673018880?s=20
#ICCRankings My favorite batsman in Pakistan. congratulations pic.twitter.com/ieUCugTNxA
— Muhammad Hassan (@HasanRajput0786) April 8, 2021
In the match, Babar Azam missed his 14th ODI century with just six runs shot after he was bowled out on the last ball of the last over.
Read more: Babar Azam becomes world’s fastest batsman to score 13 centuries
According to the sports journalist, Mazhar Arshad, Babar Azam had briefly jumped to the first spot after scoring his 13th century in the first ODI but dropped to the second spot again after the second ODI.
Now fans are anxiously waiting for the release of the new ICC ranking hoping that Babar Azam has secured first place in the list.
Earlier this month, Babar Azam became the world’s quickest batsman to score 13 centuries. He achieved a feat in the 76th innings on Friday in an ODI against South Africa.
Ladies and Gentlemen Presenting to you a Number 1 ODI batsman in #ICCRankings😘😍 Absolutely A Great tO watCh#ICCRankings pic.twitter.com/jK9NquKh3b
— F A ح A D.. 🖤 (@Ziddi_bOy_) April 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/John98089/status/1379997297140854785?s=20
https://twitter.com/danesh_kaleem/status/1380040106464182273?s=20
The previous batsman to reach the hallmark was former South African player, Hashim Amla, who scored 13 centuries in the 83rd innings. Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and South African players Quinton De Cock took 86 innings to score 13 centuries.
In the first ODI match against South Africa, Babar Azam scored 103 of 104 balls leading Pakistan to victory against the hosts.
This was Babar Azam’s second century as a captain of Pakistan’s cricket team. His first century was against Zimbabwe in November 2020.
Read more: Babar Azam hits swashbuckling knock of 114 runs for Somerset
Before the beginning of the series, Babar Azam was placed at the second spot in the ICC’s list of the best batsman. He is just 20 points away from the world’s best ODI batsman, Virat Kohli.