Babar Azam’s stats in the last few years have been incredible. His performance in ODIs has been exceptional, but is the Pakistan skipper in the same class as the Fab 4? So, let’s find out where Babar stands when compared with Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson:
Babar Azam stats vs Fab 4 in ODIs
| Matches | Innings | Runs | High Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | 113 | 5691 | 158 | 56.91 | 88.78 | 19 | 32 |
Babar has played 116 matches for Pakistan and is already considered their best limited-over batsman by many. The Central Punjab cricketer has made 5691 runs in 110 innings and has the 4th-highest average of all time in ODI cricket (56.91). He has 19 centuries and 32 fifties to his name and holds the record for being the fastest to 5000 ODI runs (97 innings), beating Hashim Amla’s record (101 innings).
Virat Kohli ODI Stats
Compared to Babar, Virat Kohli has played 289 matches, scoring 13626 runs and averaging 58.48. He also has 30 more centuries and 38 more fifties than the Pakistan skipper. Kohli is 3rd in the highest averages in ODIs, one spot ahead of Babar, and holds the record for the fastest player to reach 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000, and 12000 ODI runs.
Steve Smith ODI stats
Former Australian skipper Steve Smith has scored 5259 runs in 152 games. The right-hander averages 44.12 and has fewer hundreds (7) and fifties (1) than Babar. While considered to be the finest Test batter of the generation, Smith is not seen as the best limited-overs player by many due to his diminishing returns.
Joe Root ODI stats
Former England Test skipper Joe Root seems to go under the radar when talking about ODIs. However, Root has made 6434 runs at a sublime average of 47.65 in 169 matches. Root has made 16 centuries compared to Babar’s 19 but has 6 more fifties. The middle-order batter is among the top 10 fastest batters to reach 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 ODI runs.
Kane Williamson ODI stats
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has 6727 runs at an average of 48.74 in 163 matches. The Kiwi has 6 fewer centuries as Babar does (13) but has 12 more fifties. Williamson was awarded player of the tournament in the last ODI World Cup in 2019 and is also among the top 10 fastest batters to make 4000, 5000, and 6000 ODI runs.
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