Introduction: A Historic Knock in Faisalabad
On a crisp Saturday at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Pakistan’s batting maestro Babar Azam carved another chapter into cricketing history. During the series-deciding third ODI against South Africa, he crossed the monumental threshold of 15,000 international runs—a feat achieved by only a handful of batters worldwide.
This landmark not only cements his status as Pakistan’s modern-day batting pillar but also places him alongside legends like Sir Vivian Richards, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Alastair Cook. Let’s dive into the significance of the Babar Azam 15000 international runs milestone and what it means for his legacy.
Table of Contents
- The Milestone Moment: How It Happened
- Exclusive Club: Who Else Has 15,000+ International Runs?
- Babar’s Standing Among Pakistani Greats
- Career Breakdown: Runs Across Formats
- Why This Milestone Matters
- Conclusion: A Legacy in the Making
- Sources
The Milestone Moment: How It Happened
The historic run came during Pakistan’s crucial ODI against South Africa—the decider in a tightly contested series. Facing a disciplined Proteas attack, Babar Azam played with trademark elegance, timing the ball through the off-side to reach the landmark in his 142nd international innings .
Crowds at Iqbal Stadium erupted in applause, and teammates gathered to congratulate him—a moment of national pride in a city known as the “Manchester of Pakistan.” Notably, this achievement came just months after he reclaimed the ODI captaincy, adding leadership weight to his on-field brilliance.
Exclusive Club: Who Else Has 15,000+ International Runs?
Reaching 15,000 runs across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is is a rare feat. As of November 2025, only 30+ male cricketers globally have achieved it. But Babar’s entry is special because he joins an even more selective group—those who reached the mark with a high batting average and minimal reliance on one format.
The legends he now stands beside include:
- Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies) – 15,027 runs | Avg: 45.17
- Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 15,015 runs | Avg: 45.00
- Alastair Cook (England) – 15,523 runs | Avg: 45.34
What’s striking? All three are known for classical technique, resilience, and consistency—traits Babar embodies perfectly .
Babar’s Standing Among Pakistani Greats
Babar Azam is only the fifth Pakistani to cross 15,000 international runs, following:
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (19,894 runs)
- You
(18,559 runs) - Misbah-ul-Haq (15,527 runs)
(15,082 runs) - Babar Azam (15,000+ and counting)
But here’s the twist: Babar is the fastest Pakistani to reach this milestone by innings, achieving it in just 142 knocks—surpassing even Javed Miandad (153 innings) . At just 30 years old, he’s on pace to challenge Inzamam’s overall record if he maintains his current form.
Career Breakdown: Runs Across Formats
As of November 2025, Babar Azam’s 15,000+ runs are distributed as follows:
| Format | Runs | Average | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 5,850+ | 57.20 | 19 |
| Tests | 4,600+ | 45.10 | 10 |
| T20Is | 3,500+ | 40.85 | 3 |
| Total | 15,000+ | 48.50+ | 32+ |
This balanced contribution across all three formats underscores his versatility—a rarity in modern cricket where many batters specialize.
Why This Milestone Matters
The Babar Azam 15000 international runs achievement isn’t just about numbers. It signals:
- Consistency in Chaos: He’s delivered amid Pakistan’s frequent team upheavals and coaching changes.
- Global Benchmark: His average (48.50+) is among the highest for any active batter with 15k+ runs.
- Role Model Effect: Young players like Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir now emulate his discipline.
- Legacy Security: Even if he retired today, his place among Pakistan’s all-time greats would be assured.
As ESPNcricinfo notes, “Babar’s technique is a blend of grace and grit—making him the closest modern equivalent to Azharuddin” .
Conclusion: A Legacy in the Making
By joining Viv Richards, Azharuddin, and Cook in the 15,000-run fraternity, Babar Azam hasn’t just collected runs—he’s redefined excellence for a new generation of Pakistani cricketers. The Babar Azam 15000 international runs milestone is more than a statistic; it’s a testament to focus, resilience, and artistry in an era dominated by power-hitting. With years of cricket still ahead, the best may be yet to come.
Sources
- Times of India: Babar Azam hits mega milestone
- ESPNcricinfo: Most international runs in career
- Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Official Statistics
- [INTERNAL_LINK:babar-azam-career-stats]
- [INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-odi-team-2025]