Run Machine In World Cricket: Emergence of the Modern White-Ball Run Machine in World Cricket: Batting in white-ball cricket has witnessed a significant evolution over the past decade and a half, rendering it a more comfortable endeavor than in previous eras. The primary catalyst for this transformation has been the advent and proliferation of T20 cricket. The allure and entertainment offered by boundaries, showcased through fours, sixes, and the coveted century, have led to flatter pitches, larger bats, stronger batters, and smaller boundary sizes.
Even in Test cricket, which experienced a historic phase of bowler-friendly conditions from 2018 to 2021, there has been a recent shift towards more batting-friendly surfaces in most countries over the last couple of years.
Notable Run Machine in World Cricket: Babar Azam
When assessing the most successful batsman in recent years, it is challenging to dispute the claim of Pakistan’s captain, captain Babar Azam, who is now being celebrated as the new run machine in the world of cricket.
Making his international debut in 2015, Babar Azam exuded class, with his cover drive being a divine spectacle of balance and finesse. While it took some time to establish himself at the highest level, once he fully unleashed his range, bowlers found themselves at his mercy. Moreover, he has evolved into a formidable batsman since assuming the role of Pakistan’s captain.
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Examining his performance over the past few years, across all formats since 2021, he stands out as the leading international run-scorer, amassing 5304 runs in 118 innings at an impressive average of 47, along with 14 centuries, the most by any batsman during this period. Trailing behind are Mohammad Rizwan (4202 runs) and Joe Root (3838 runs).
Babar Azam has particularly dominated in ODI cricket, where he has held the coveted number 1 ranking as the top ODI batsman for over two years. In 27 ODI innings since 2021, this right-hander has amassed 1773 runs at a remarkable average of 68, including 7 centuries and 12 half-centuries. This outstanding consistency is highlighted by his 19 fifty-plus scores in 27 innings.
In T20Is since 2021, Babar ranks third in terms of total runs, with only his opening partner, Mohammad Rizwan, and the aggressive T20 specialist Suryakumar Yadav outpacing him. However, both Rizwan and Yadav have yet to make a significant impact in the longer formats.
Shifting focus to his performance in red-ball cricket, Babar Azam boasts an impressive Test average of 50 since the beginning of 2021. Over 20 Tests, he has amassed 1727 runs, making him the top Pakistani run-scorer during this period, and he has notched up 4 Test centuries and 11 half-centuries.
Babar Azam’s remarkable achievements are reflected in his ICC Batsmen rankings: he is ranked as the number 1 ICC ODI batsman, occupies the third spot in the ICC T20I batsman rankings, and is placed fourth in the ICC Test batsman ranking.
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