Fastest Batsman to Score 1000 Runs in ODI (2025)

Fakhar Zaman stunned everyone in international cricket in the ICC Champions Trophy played in England in 2017. In his fourth ODI innings, he scored a memorable 114 to seal Pakistan’s victory over India in the final at The Oval. This explosive innings was a sign of things to come. Zaman quickly established himself as a dominant force in Pakistan’s batting lineup.

The Record Run: Fastest to 1,000 ODI Runs 

On 22 July 2018, in the fifth and final ODI against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Fakhar Zaman completed 1000 runs in his 18th ODI innings. In doing so, he surpassed the likes of Sir Vivian Richards, Kevin Pietersen and Babar Azam, who needed 21 innings to reach this milestone. Guinness World Records has also established Zaman’s record by setting the fastest record of completing 1,000 ODI runs in 18 innings.

akhar Zaman – Recent Matches  

An Explosion Across Five Matches 

Zaman’s rise was not limited to that record alone. His performance in the Zimbabwe series was nothing short of explosive. In just five ODIs, he scored 515 runs at an average of 257.50, including 117 runs and a remarkable 210. That 210 was the first ODI double by a Pakistani batsman.

Context and Legacy of the Record 

Leaving a legend like Viv Richards behind him was already historic. By doing so in 18 innings, Zaman has etched his name in history alongside cricket’s greats. His 515 runs in the Zimbabwe series also broke the national record for most runs in a five-match ODI series. He and Imam-ul-Haq contributed an astonishing 71.7% of the runs for the Pakistan team in that series.

Fakhar Zaman Career Batting & Fielding Stats  

Why That Record Mattered 

Scoring so many records early on boosted Zaman’s confidence and he immediately made his mark on the international stage. His batting style was a refreshing blend of aggression, timing and power. As the first Pakistani to score an ODI double century, he raised the bar for his teammates and future generations. Guinness World Records immortalised Zaman’s achievement by setting a record.

Beyond the First 1,000: A Career Snapshot 

While the 2018 record has been a career highlight, Zaman has been consistently performing. As of April 2023, he became one of the fastest Asians to reach 3,000 ODI runs. In short, he achieved the feat in 67 innings during the series against New Zealand. Also, fans and analysts often discuss his place among Pakistan’s ODI greats. His explosive strike rate and big hitting nature, others note patches of inconsistency.

Road of Challenges & Comeback 

In February 2025, Fakhar suffered an abdominal injury on the day of the match against New Zealand in the ICC. He was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. Despite the injury, Zaman has rubbished rumours of his retirement and has shown his determination to return to top form in ODIs soon.

Conclusion 

Fakhar Zaman’s record as the fastest player to complete 1,000 ODI runs is still a testament to his unique talent. With fearless strokeplay and game-changing innings, he has been exciting the fans and filling the scoreboard. As we await his comeback, fans remain eager for more fireworks.

Continue Reading: ICC World Test Championship (2025-2027) Points Table | WTC 2023-2025 Points Table

FAQs 

Q1. Why is Fakhar Zaman called a “fearless opener” in cricket?

Fakhar Zaman has earned the tag of a fearless opener due to his aggressive batting style, especially in high-pressure matches. His natural aggressive instincts allow him to dominate the bowlers from the very beginning, giving Pakistan a strong start in limited-overs cricket.

Q2. What is Fakhar Zaman’s most famous innings for Pakistan?

His most iconic innings was against India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where he scored a match-winning century (114 off 106 balls). This innings not only won Pakistan its first Champions Trophy, but also made it an overnight national hero.

Q3. Did Fakhar Zaman always want to become a cricketer?

His cricketing talent was spotted there, and he eventually left the Navy to play professional cricket, a decision that completely changed his life.

Q4. What batting records does Fakhar Zaman hold?

Fakhar is the first Pakistani batsman to score a double century in ODIs (210* against Zimbabwe in 2018). He also holds the record for becoming the fastest Pakistani to score 1,000 ODI runs.

Q5. How does Fakhar Zaman’s playing style differ in ODIs vs T20Is?

In ODIs, Fakhar usually builds his innings consistently, often playing big innings, before turning to fast bowling. However, in T20Is, he prefers to play aggressive shots from the start, which makes him unpredictable but also a bit inconsistent compared to ODIs.

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