In a landmark moment for Asian cricket, Pakistan captain Babar Azam etched his name into the record books during the 1st Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, becoming the first Asian batter to surpass 3000 runs in the World Test Championship (WTC). The historic feat came on October 12, 2025, as Babar played a sublime knock in front of a packed home crowd, reaffirming his stature as one of the modern greats in red-ball cricket.
Babar achieved the milestone with a boundary off South African spinner Senuran Muthusamy, surpassing the previous best tallies held by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. His innings not only anchored Pakistan’s first innings but also set the tone for their 2025–27 WTC campaign.
🧠 Babar Azam’s WTC Milestone: Key Highlights
| Record Achieved | Details |
|---|---|
| Total WTC Runs | 3,004 (as of Day 1 vs SA) |
| Previous Asian Record Holder | Virat Kohli (2,987 runs) |
| Global Rank in WTC Runs | 3rd overall |
| Milestone Moment | Boundary off Muthusamy in 47th over |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Babar’s innings was a masterclass in timing, temperament, and technique, drawing praise from legends and fans alike.
📊 Babar Azam’s WTC Career Stats (As of October 12, 2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 41 |
| Innings Batted | 75 |
| Total Runs | 3,004 |
| Average | 52.7 |
| Centuries | 9 |
| Half-Centuries | 17 |
| Highest Score | 196 |
His consistency across conditions has made him a pillar of Pakistan’s Test batting lineup.
🗣️ Reactions from Cricketing Fraternity
- Wasim Akram: “Babar is the pride of Pakistan. This record is just the beginning.”
- Michael Vaughan: “He’s the best all-format batter in the world right now.”
- Ravi Shastri: “To beat Kohli and Gill in WTC stats is no small feat.”
| Platform | Reaction Summary |
|---|---|
| Twitter (X) | #Babar3000 trending globally |
| Flooded with congratulatory posts | |
| YouTube Shorts | Clips of the milestone moment go viral |
The cricketing world united in celebrating Babar’s achievement, with fans from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka also joining in.
🧾 Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test: Match Snapshot
| Team | Score | Top Performer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 312/4 (Day 1) | Babar Azam – 112* | In control |
| South Africa | Yet to bat | – | – |
Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss, with Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq providing a solid start before Babar took charge.
🧭 Strategic Outlook for Pakistan in WTC 2025–27
- Next Fixtures: Away series vs England and New Zealand
- Key Players: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel
- WTC Goals: Qualify for 2027 Final at Lord’s
- Team Focus: Batting depth, spin attack, overseas wins
Babar’s form will be central to Pakistan’s WTC ambitions, especially in challenging overseas tours.
Disclaimer
This news content is based on verified match reports, player statistics, and media coverage as of October 13, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute betting advice, performance prediction, or commercial endorsement and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
