Babar Azam’s Journey Toward 4000 Test Runs
In the lead-up to the August 2024 Test series against Bangladesh, the buzz around Babar Azam was hard to miss. With 3972 Test runs under his belt, he just needed 28 more to hit the coveted 4000 mark—a milestone every top batter dreams of. The nets in Dhaka were full of hype, with Babar looking sharp, his famous cover drives impressing those who watched. Expectations were sky-high.
But cricket rarely sticks to the script. Despite his preparation, the runs didn't come as easily as expected. In that Bangladesh series, Babar couldn’t hit the numbers needed. He walked back to the dugout after scores like 14 and 24, looking as frustrated as his fans felt. Even facing England and South Africa in subsequent matches, the form troubles wouldn’t let up. It turned into a waiting game—one that kept everyone guessing when, or even if, the 4000 might finally arrive.
Historic Milestone Achieved at Centurion
The breakthrough didn’t come until December, at the iconic SuperSport Park in Centurion. This wasn’t just any match—it was the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. The pitch was lively, the bowlers charged, but when Corbin Bosch sent one outside off, Babar’s bat sent the ball racing to the fence. With that crisp boundary, he became only the second Pakistani to cross 4000 runs in all three international formats. There was a moment of celebration before reality struck—he was out soon after, dismissed for just four runs. But by then, the record was his.
What makes this feat special isn’t just the number, but the company. Across cricket history, very few batters have managed to join the club of 4000+ runs in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The likes of Virat Kohli and a handful of others are there. Now, Babar Azam’s name is etched right alongside them, a testament to incredible consistency and skill.
Pakistan hasn’t had a batter as reliable as Babar across formats in a long time. With 5957 runs in ODIs and 4223 in T20Is, he’s not just a red-ball specialist but a true all-round threat at the crease. While the 4000-run mark in Tests took longer than many expected, the achievement now stands as another proof of Babar’s high standard. Cricket fans in Pakistan—and around the world—have another reason to cheer his name from the stands and on their screens.
