ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricket sensation Babar Azam has cemented his legacy by ending 2024 as the top-ranked batter in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings, marking an extraordinary fourth consecutive year at the pinnacle of the format.
The announcement, made by the ICC on December 25, places the 30-year-old in the elite club of cricketing greats like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Hashim Amla.
Babar’s unparalleled consistency has redefined excellence in ODI cricket. Starting his reign as the top batter in 2021, he has maintained his dominance in 2022, 2023, and now 2024—a feat no other Pakistani player has achieved.
This accomplishment aligns him with Kohli, who held the top position from 2017 to 2020, de Villiers, who dominated from 2013 to 2016, and Amla, who was at the summit from 2010 to 2012.
Pakistan batter Babar Azam's dominance in the ODI format continues as he ends the calendar year ranked No. 1 in ODI cricket for the fourth consecutive time. pic.twitter.com/KUvSjUkFCZ
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) December 25, 2024
Despite facing challenges earlier in the year, Babar ended 2024 on a high note. His resurgence was evident during the final ODI series of the year against South Africa, where he scored two commanding half-centuries, amassing 148 runs in three innings.
Babar’s contributions played a crucial role in Pakistan’s historic 3-0 series victory over the Proteas.
In total, Babar accumulated 228 runs across six ODIs in 2024, averaging 57.00 with a strike rate of 76.51.
