Babar Azam has become the first cricketer ever to amass over 3,000 runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is within the 2020s.
The Pakistani maestro reached the landmark in the latest T20I series against England, pushing his tally in the shortest format past the three‑thousand‑run barrier. He had already crossed the same milestone in Tests last year and in ODIs two years earlier, making him the sole player in the current decade to register three‑figure aggregates across all three international formats. The achievement underscores a rare blend of adaptability and durability, qualities that have kept Babar at the top of the ICC rankings for both Tests and limited‑overs cricket.
Babar’s rise mirrors a period of resurgence for Pakistan cricket. Since 2020, the national side has enjoyed a steady climb in the Test rankings, while its ODI and T20I squads have become more competitive in world tournaments. The consistency of the opening batsman has provided a reliable backbone for the team, often turning tight contests into victories. His ability to score runs on varied pitches—from the spin‑friendly tracks of the subcontinent to the pace‑dominated surfaces of England and Australia—has given selectors confidence to build the batting order around him.
The feat also places Babar in an exclusive global fraternity. No other player of the 2020s decade—whether from India, Australia, England or New Zealand—has managed to cross the 3,000‑run threshold in each format. While legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis accumulated massive totals, they did so over longer careers that spanned multiple decades. Babar’s accomplishment, achieved in less than a decade, highlights a level of sustained performance that few modern cricketers have replicated.
Looking ahead, the milestone arrives just as Pakistan prepares for a packed calendar that includes the upcoming ICC World Cup and a high‑stakes Test series against South Africa. Babar’s continued form will be pivotal not only for Pakistan’s chances of clinching major trophies but also for nurturing the next generation of batsmen who look up to him as a template for professionalism and technique. As the cricketing world watches, his record‑breaking run‑scoring saga adds another chapter to Pakistan’s rich sporting legacy.