Babar Azam overtakes Hashim Amla and Virat Kohli in elite list with 13th ODI ton

Playing in his 78th ODI on Friday, Babar smashed 103 runs to guide his team to a three-wicket win in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at the SuperSport Park.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has continued his run-scoring spree in limited-overs cricket as he smashed his 13th One Day International century on Friday. While chasing South Africa's target of 274, Babar scored 103 runs to help his side emerge victorious in a tense match.

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam, raises his helmet to celebrate scoring a century during the One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, April 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (AP)

Babar has been continuously talked about as one of the best batsmen in the game and he continued to show his pedigree in international cricket. And now Babar has added another feather to his illustrious cap as he became the fastest men's cricketer to score 13th centuries in ODI cricket.

Playing in his 78th ODI on Friday, Babar smashed 103 runs to guide his team to a three-wicket win in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at the SuperSport Park. He surpassed former Proteas batsman Hashim Amla and India skipper Virat Kohli to achieve the feat.

Babar has taken just 76 innings to score 13 tons while Amla, who until now was the fastest, had scored his 13th ODI hundred in 83 innings. Kohli had taken 86 innings to score 13 ODI hundreds.

Australia women's captain Meg Lanning, too, took 76 innings to reach her 13th ODI hundred.

With this thrilling win, Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second game will be played on Sunday at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

After that, the two teams will also play four T20Is.

(with ANI inputs)