Babar Azam has made it a habit of breaking Indian talisman Virat Kohli's batting records in international cricket. In the past couple of months, the Pakistan captain has gone past several feats previously attained by the former India skipper.

In June, the Lahore-born cricketer first went past the India star’s milestone of being the fastest captain to a thousand runs in ODIs. Subsequently, Babar Azam became the only cricketer in the world to hit three consecutive hundreds in the 50-over format twice.

Days later, he surpassed Virat Kohli's record for the longest reign at the top of the T20I rankings. While Virat Kohli sat at the perch for 1,013 days during the last decade, Babar Azam has overhauled that total with his continuing stay at the numero uno position in the ICC’s charts.

On Sunday, Babar Azam dismantled another Virat Kohli milestone with his stunning century in the first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle as he completed 10,000 runs in international cricket.

With Babar Azam taking 228 innings to achieve the landmark figure, he became the fastest Asian batter to reach the 10,000 runs mark, breaking India star Virat Kohli's previous record, who took 232 knocks to attain the feat.

Babar Azam is also the fastest Pakistani to the milestone, surpassing the legendary Javed Miandad who needed 248 innings to get there.

Overall, Babar Azam is the quickest to complete 10,000 runs in international cricket with Viv Richards (206 innings), Hashim Amla (217 innings), Brian Lara (220 innings), and Joe Root (222 innings) ahead of him.

Babar Azaz's achievement came against all odds against the Sri Lankans on Day 2 of the first Test between the two sides as Pakistan were in deep trouble in their first innings,

At 85/7, Pakistan appeared to be on the brink of handing a healthy lead to Sri Lanka in the first essay after the hosts posted a total of 222 on Day 1.

But Babar Azam had other ideas as he combined with Pakistan's tailenders to not just complete his seventh Test hundred but also took his team close to the Sri Lankan total before the visitors were bowled out for 218.

In the end, he was the last man to fall for the score of 119 which featured 11 fours and two sixes.

With his latest knock against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam once again won the hearts of his fans who declared on social media that he was already a “legend” in cricket.

On the other hand, others called him the “master craftsman”.

Meanwhile, noted cricket expert Ayaz Memon dubbed his hundred as “marvellous”.

“Sri Lanka had Pak on the mat but Babar Azam was not going to take such ignominy lying down. Marvellous century by the captain who rises in stature with every innings,” Ayaz Memon tweeted.

“Absolutely brilliant hundred by Babar Azam. Once again showing what a magnificent and skillful batter he is,” another said on the micro-blogging website.

“A captain's knock from Babar Azam has ensured Pakistan are in the game going into day 3,” the ICC wrote on the social network.

“What a fight back by Pakistan, captain's knock by Babar Azam, great resistance by Naseem Shah. They have brought Pakistan back into game,” a Pakistan fan opined.

“Pleasurable as ever to watch the class & elegance of Babar Azam score more Test runs,” former New Zealand cricketer Danny Morrison declared on social media.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, Indian Premier League,

Pawan Atri ·

Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, Indian Premier League,

Pawan Atri ·

Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, Indian Premier League,

Pawan Atri ·

Earlier Babar Azam was in the news for his heart-warming tweet in support of Virat Kohli which took the internet by storm.

“This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli,” the Pakistan skipper wrote on Twitter.

Babar Azam later explained the rationale behind his post.

“As a player myself, I know you can go through such a phase (out of form) and I also know what a player goes through in such a phase. In those times, you need support. I just tweeted thinking that it will give just some support. He is one of the best players,” Babar Azam said during a press conference in Galle where Pakistan and Sri Lanka are taking on each other in the first Test.

“He is playing a lot of cricket and he knows how to come out of these situations. It takes time, if you back players, it will be really good,” Babar Azam added.

Babar Azam’s gesture was hailed by several former Indian cricketers, including Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, and Mohammad Kaif all of whom said that the Pakistan skipper's message of support for Virat Kohli was a “class” act.

Two days after Babar Azam’s tweet, Virat Kohli responded to his message, writing, “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best.”

“Babar and Virat are continuing a long India-Pakistan cricketers' tradition of keeping sports away from politics. Rivals on field, well-wishers off it. Great player, great ambassadors,” Mohammad Kaif wrote on Twitter.