Babar Azam scored an excellent century Friday to assist carry Pakistan to the highest of the one-day worldwide rankings after a thumping 102-run victory within the fourth match in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. Azam smashed a 117-ball 107 and in addition turned the quickest batter to achieve 5,000 ODI runs, as his crew made 334-6 of their 50 overs. His 18th ODI hundred took him previous the mark in his 97th innings within the format, beating former South Africa batter Hashim Amla‘s earlier report of 101 innings. New Zealand have been bowled out for 232 in 43.4 overs with skipper Tom Latham (60), Mark Chapman (46) and Daryl Mitchell (34) providing some resistance.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir led Pakistan’s bowling cost with a career-best 4-43 whereas pacers Mohammad Wasim (3-40) and Haris Rauf (2-37) additionally impressed.

The win gave Pakistan a 4-0 lead within the five-match sequence and took them to primary for the primary time because the International Cricket Council formally recognised the rankings in 2005.

Pakistan’s earlier highest ODI rating was third which they attained in January 2018 and once more in June 2022.

Azam starred together with his thirtieth ton in all worldwide cricket after New Zealand received the toss and put the hosts in to bat at National Stadium.

The 28-year-old beat Amla’s report when he reached 19.

He added 50 for the second wicket with Shan Masood (44), 127 for the fourth wicket with Agha Salman (58) and one other 41 for the sixth with Iftikhar Ahmed who scored 28.

Azam, who has been the primary ODI batter for the final two years, hit 10 boundaries earlier than he was caught at deep mid-wicket off debutant Ben Lister within the forty eighth over.

Azam is the 14th Pakistani to attain 5,000 or extra runs in ODI cricket, with former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq high of the record with 11,701.

He can be the quickest to 18 ODI tons of, beating Amla’s report of 102 innings.

Salman chipped in with two sixes and 4 fours in his 46-ball knock earlier than being caught and bowled by pacer Matt Henry who completed with 3-65.

Shaheen Shah Afridi hit three sixes and a 4 in his seven-ball 23 not out as Pakistan plundered 94 runs within the final 10 overs.

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