Babar Azam becomes first Asian to reach 3,000 WTC runs

Babar Azam became the first Asian and the eighth overall batter to reach 3,000 runs in the ICC World Test Championship on October 12, scoring the milestone during the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Batting at number four, the right‑hander needed two runs to join the 3,000‑run club and drove a Senuran Muthusamy delivery for four in the 49th over to reach the mark.

The landmark came amid a mixed outing for Babar in Pakistan’s first innings. He scored 23 off 48 balls with four boundaries before being dismissed later in the innings by spinner Simon Harmer. Pakistan’s innings was steadied by a 161‑run second‑wicket partnership between Shan Masood, who made 76, and Imamul Haq, who fell seven short of a century with 93. Pakistan’s top order contributions left the hosts well placed in their first innings against the reigning WTC champions.

Babar’s elevation into the WTC 3,000 club places him alongside leading Test run‑scorers such as Joe Root, who leads the competition, and Australian batsmen including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja. Within Pakistan’s WTC records, he now stands well clear of his teammates;...