Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has written his name into the country's cricket history once again. The 32-year-old crossed the 16,000-run mark in international cricket on Sunday, October 18, during the opening match of the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, joining an elite list that includes Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Javed Miandad.
Babar, who needed seven runs to reach the milestone, brought it up when he scored his seventh run on the sixth ball of the fifth over of Pakistan's innings, News18 reported. The match is his 355th in international cricket, and the landmark cements his place among Pakistan's greatest ever batters.
What happened in Babar Azam's 16,000-run milestone
The right-handed batter from Lahore, who made his international debut for Pakistan during an ODI in May 2015, walked out at Rawalpindi needing just seven runs to become the fifth Pakistani to 16,000 international runs. He did not keep the crowd waiting long, reaching the mark early in Pakistan's innings against Sri Lanka.
Geo Super reported that when the news was filed, Pakistan were 62 for 2 in 12 overs, with Babar unbeaten on 27 off 34 deliveries, having struck four boundaries. Debutant Saad Baig had scored 9 off 11 balls. Sri Lanka's Dilshan Madushanka claimed both early wickets, dismissing Saim Ayub for 7 and Fakhar Zaman for 16.
Where Babar Azam stands among Pakistan's greats
Only four Pakistanis had previously crossed 16,000 international runs. Babar now sits fifth on the all-time list:
- Inzamam-ul-Haq — 20,541 runs in 495 matches
- Younis Khan — 17,790 runs in 408 matches
- Mohammad Yousuf — 17,134 runs
- Javed Miandad — 16,213 runs
- Babar Azam — 16,007 runs and counting
That is remarkable company. Inzamam and Miandad are widely regarded as the two finest batters Pakistan has produced, while Younis Khan remains the country's most prolific Test run-scorer. For a 32-year-old still in his prime, the road to the very top of the list is genuinely open.
Babar Azam's format-by-format record
Babar's greatness lies in his consistency across all three formats — something very few batters in world cricket can claim. Geo Super's breakdown puts his tally at more than 6,500 runs in ODIs, 4,771 runs in 66 Tests, and 4,596 runs in 145 T20 Internationals, with 32 international centuries and 111 half-centuries across formats.
News18's report noted he is the all-time highest run-scorer in T20Is. His ODI numbers are particularly striking: an average above 53 across more than 140 matches, a figure that places him among the most consistent 50-over batters of the modern era.
Saeed Anwar's ODI centuries record in sight
The 16,000-run landmark may not even be the biggest story of Babar's week. He is also closing in on another major record: legendary opener Saeed Anwar's mark for the most ODI centuries by a Pakistani batter.
Both batters have scored 20 ODI centuries, with Babar matching Anwar's tally in considerably fewer innings. One more century would give him the record outright. He is also closing in on becoming the third-fastest batter to score 21 ODI centuries — South Africa's Hashim Amla holds the record at 116 innings, while India's Virat Kohli needed 138.
Key Takeaways
- Milestone reached: Babar Azam crossed 16,000 international runs against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi on October 18, 2026.
- Elite company: He is only the fifth Pakistani to the mark, after Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Javed Miandad.
- All-format star: His tally spans 4,771 Test runs, 4,596 T20I runs, and more than 6,500 ODI runs, with 32 centuries and 111 fifties.
- Anwar's record next: One more ODI century takes him past Saeed Anwar's Pakistan record of 20.
- 355 matches in: The tri-series opener was Babar's 355th international appearance since his ODI debut in May 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Babar Azam reach 16,000 international runs?
Babar needed seven runs at the start of Pakistan's innings against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series opener at Rawalpindi on October 18, 2026. He completed the landmark with his seventh run on the sixth ball of the fifth over, becoming the fifth Pakistani to reach 16,000 international runs.
Who are the other Pakistanis with 16,000 international runs?
Inzamam-ul-Haq leads with 20,541 runs in 495 matches, followed by Younis Khan with 17,790 in 408 matches, Mohammad Yousuf with 17,134, and Javed Miandad with 16,213. Babar Azam, on 16,007 and counting, is the fifth name on the list, and at 32 he could yet climb higher.
What is Babar Azam's record across formats?
Babar has scored 4,771 runs in 66 Tests, 4,596 runs in 145 T20Is, and more than 6,500 runs in ODIs, with 32 international centuries and 111 half-centuries across formats, according to Geo Super. News18 noted he is the all-time highest run-scorer in T20Is.
Is Babar Azam close to Saeed Anwar's ODI centuries record?
Yes. Both Babar and Saeed Anwar have 20 ODI centuries for Pakistan, with Babar reaching the mark in considerably fewer innings. One more century will give Babar the Pakistan record outright. He is also nearing the third-fastest 21 ODI centuries ever, behind Hashim Amla (116 innings) and Virat Kohli (138).
When did Babar Azam make his international debut?
Babar made his international debut for Pakistan during an ODI match in May 2015. The tri-series opener against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi was his 355th international match, and he has since become one of the most consistent batters in world cricket across all three formats.
What is the context of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match?
It is the opening match of an ODI tri-series being played in Pakistan, staged at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2026. When Geo Super filed its report, Pakistan were 62 for 2 in 12 overs with Babar unbeaten on 27.
Why it matters
Milestones like this do more than fill record books — they define eras. Babar has carried Pakistan's batting for the better part of a decade, and reaching 16,000 runs at 32 puts him on a trajectory that could see him challenge Inzamam's all-time mark before he is done. For Pakistani fans, watching a homegrown great close in on the legends of the past is the kind of moment that keeps the sport's emotional core alive. It also arrives at a useful time, with the tri-series serving as preparation for bigger assignments ahead.
What happens next
Babar's immediate focus will be the rest of the tri-series, where Pakistan will want to convert a strong home run into a trophy. The bigger personal prize — Saeed Anwar's ODI centuries record — could fall at any point in the coming matches. Every innings from here adds to a tally that is already historic, and the chase for 17,000, then 18,000, and beyond, is now firmly on.
By GlobalDeskNews Staff
Sources
- Geo Super, "Babar Azam achieves major landmark in international cricket," October 18, 2026 — geosuper.tv
- News18, "Babar Azam Joins Inzamam-Ul-Haq & Javed Miandad In Elite List Of Pakistan Cricketers," updated October 18, 2026, 14:25 IST — news18.com
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