Babar Azam ahead of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, second only to Virat Kohli in this elite list of superstars

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam played a gritty 60-run knock off 86 balls on Saturday as his team defeated Afghanistan by 59 runs to win the series 3-0 and become the new number one ranked ODI team in the world.

Not long ago, there were reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was mulling over the thought to sack Babar Azam as the captain of Pakistan cricket team.

On a dual-paced surface which was extremely difficult to bat, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan stitched a 110-run partnership to set a platform for batters coming after them to take the team total past 250. Only nine out of 54 times, a total in excess of 250 was chased at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pakistan finished at 268/8 in 50 overs before bundling out Afghanistan for 250.

Babar Azam, the number one ranked ODI batter in the world, once again led from the front and showcased his supreme talent to prove why there is no one better in Pakistan for the role.

The 28-year-old has piled up 1843 ODI runs at an average of 68.25 in 29 matches as Pakistan captain. The splendid average is only second to Virat Kohli who scored 5449 runs in 91 innings at an average of 72.65 as the captain of Indian ODI team.

Babar Azam is ahead of MS Dhoni and current India captain Rohit Sharma in the list. Dhoni is occupying the sixth spot with 6641 runs as captain in 172 innings at an average of 53.55. Rohit Sharma is fifth with 1175 runs in 27 innings at an average of 55.95.

Former South Africa captains AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis are placed third and fourth on the list respectively. De Villiers scored 4796 runs at an average of 63.94 in 98 innings, while du Plessis scored 1671 runs in 36 innings at an average of 57.62.

Kane Williamson is seventh with 3801 runs at an average of 50.01 in 84 batting innings as captain of the New Zealand ODI team.

Highest Career Average As Captain (Minimum 25 innings)

• Virat Kohli: 5449 runs in 91 innings at an average of 72.65
• Babar Azam: 1843 runs in 29 matches at an average of 68.25
• AB de Villiers: 4796 runs in 98 innings at an average of 63.94
• Faf Du Plessis: 1671 runs in 36 innings at an average of 57.62
• Rohit Sharma: 1175 runs in 27 innings at an average of 55.95

Kohli, Babar and Rohit will be in action together on September 2 as India and Pakistan lock horns at Asia Cup 2023.