Babar Azam holds the record for reaching 5,000 runs in men’s One Day International (ODI) cricket in the fewest batting innings. The Pakistan batter achieved the milestone in 97 innings against New Zealand in Karachi on May 5, 2023. He broke the previous record held by South African batter Hashim Amla, who needed 101 innings to reach the same total.
The ODI fastest 5000 runs record highlights the consistency required to score thousands of runs in international cricket. Along with Babar and Amla, the list features Virat Kohli, Vivian Richards, Shai Hope, David Warner, and other accomplished batters from different generations.
Who Is the Fastest to Score 5,000 Runs in ODI Cricket?
Babar Azam is the fastest batter to reach 5,000 runs in men’s ODI cricket. He crossed the mark in 97 innings across 99 matches during Pakistan’s fourth ODI against New Zealand. His achievement established a new benchmark in ODI batting records.
Before Babar, Hashim Amla held the record with 101 innings. Babar reached the milestone four innings sooner, making him the leading name in the ODI fastest 5000 runs rankings.
The record is based on batting innings rather than total matches played. A batter may appear in an ODI without getting an opportunity to bat, so innings provide a more accurate comparison of how quickly players accumulate runs.
Top 10 Batters in the ODI Fastest 5000 Runs List
The following table lists the ten leading batters according to the number of innings they needed to score 5,000 runs in men’s ODI cricket.
| Rank | Player | Team | Innings | Matches |
| 1 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 97 | 99 |
| 2 | Hashim Amla | South Africa | 101 | 104 |
| 3 | Vivian Richards | West Indies | 114 | 126 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | India | 114 | 120 |
| 5 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 114 | 119 |
| 6 | David Warner | Australia | 115 | 117 |
| 7 | Joe Root | England | 116 | 122 |
| 8 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 116 | 116 |
| 9 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 118 | 120 |
| 10 | Shikhar Dhawan | India | 118 | 119 |
1. Babar Azam — 97 Innings
Babar Azam reached 5,000 ODI runs on May 5, 2023, during Pakistan’s fourth ODI against New Zealand. His century helped Pakistan post 334 for six before the team bowled New Zealand out for 232.
He reached the milestone in his 97th batting innings and 99th ODI match. This achievement placed him ahead of Hashim Amla, who had held the record since January 2015.
Babar’s record reflects his consistency as a top-order batter. His ability to build innings, find gaps, and score boundaries has made him one of Pakistan’s most successful ODI players.
2. Hashim Amla — 101 Innings
Hashim Amla previously held the record for the fastest 5,000 ODI runs. The former South African opener reached the milestone against West Indies in Durban on January 16, 2015, after 101 innings across 104 matches.
Amla was known for his dependable batting and ability to score runs consistently against different bowling attacks. His ODI career included several major run-scoring milestones, and his record remained unbeaten until Babar Azam surpassed it in 2023.
Although Amla no longer holds the top position, his achievement remains one of the most notable milestones in South African ODI cricket.
3. Vivian Richards — 114 Innings
West Indies legend Vivian Richards reached 5,000 ODI runs in 114 innings against England in Melbourne on January 30, 1987. He achieved the milestone in 126 matches, during an era when ODI cricket differed considerably from the modern game.
Richards was renowned for his attacking batting and ability to put bowlers under pressure. His performances helped establish him as one of the leading batters of his generation.
His record remains notable because he reached the milestone decades before modern players such as Babar Azam and Virat Kohli made their international debuts.
4. Virat Kohli — 114 Innings
Virat Kohli reached 5,000 ODI runs in 114 innings against West Indies in Kochi on November 21, 2013. He achieved the milestone in his 120th ODI match, matching Vivian Richards’ innings record.
Kohli is known for his consistency while chasing targets and his ability to turn starts into substantial scores. His batting combines controlled stroke play with effective running between the wickets, allowing him to maintain pressure on opposing teams.
His position among the fastest players to reach 5,000 ODI runs reflects the consistency he demonstrated during the early years of his international career.
5. Shai Hope — 114 Innings
West Indies batter Shai Hope reached 5,000 ODI runs in 114 innings against England on December 3, 2023, in North Sound, Antigua. He scored an unbeaten 109 from 83 balls, helping West Indies chase a target of 326.
Hope joined Vivian Richards and Virat Kohli on the same innings total. His achievement demonstrated his importance to the West Indies batting lineup, particularly in matches requiring both patience and attacking stroke play.
Reaching the milestone in 114 innings placed Hope among the quickest batters to accumulate 5,000 ODI runs.
6. David Warner — 115 Innings
Australian opener David Warner reached 5,000 ODI runs in 115 innings against India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on January 14, 2020. He achieved the milestone in his 117th ODI match, becoming the fastest Australian batter to reach the mark at that time.
Warner was known for his aggressive approach at the top of the order. His ability to score quickly during the opening overs and build substantial innings made him an important contributor to Australia’s ODI performances.
His record demonstrates how consistent opening partnerships and regular scoring can help a batter reach major career milestones.
7. Joe Root — 116 Innings
Joe Root reached 5,000 ODI runs in his 116th innings against West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados, on February 20, 2019. He had played 122 ODI matches by that point.
Root’s batting relies on timing, placement, and the ability to adapt to different match situations. Rather than depending entirely on boundaries, he often builds an innings by rotating the strike and finding gaps in the field.
His record places him among the fastest players to reach 5,000 ODI runs, alongside several leading batters from other international teams.
8. Quinton de Kock — 116 Innings
South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock reached 5,000 ODI runs against England in Cape Town on February 4, 2020. He achieved the milestone in 116 innings across 116 matches.
De Kock established himself as an attacking left-handed opener who could give his team a strong start. His ability to score boundaries early in an innings made him a key contributor to South Africa’s ODI batting lineup.
He shares the 116-innings mark with Joe Root, placing both players among the fastest batters to reach this milestone.
9. Brian Lara — 118 Innings
West Indies great Brian Lara reached 5,000 ODI runs in 118 innings against South Africa in Lahore on November 3, 1997. He achieved the milestone in his 120th ODI match.
Lara is widely remembered for his exceptional Test cricket achievements, but his ODI career also included important contributions. His batting technique, shot selection, and ability to produce substantial scores helped him remain one of the leading batters of his era. His inclusion in this ranking shows that his achievements extended beyond Test cricket.
10. Shikhar Dhawan — 118 Innings
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan reached 5,000 ODI runs against New Zealand in Napier on January 23, 2019. He needed 118 innings and achieved the milestone in his 119th ODI match.
Dhawan was known for his attacking starts and his contributions in major international tournaments. His ability to build partnerships while maintaining a healthy scoring rate made him a valuable member of India’s ODI batting lineup.
He shares the 118-innings mark with Brian Lara, completing this list of ten leading batters.
How is the Fastest 5,000 Runs Record Calculated in ODI Cricket?
The fastest 5,000 ODI runs record is determined by counting the number of batting innings a player needs to reach 5,000 career runs. The total number of matches played is recorded separately but does not determine the ranking.
For example, Babar Azam reached 5,000 runs in 97 innings across 99 matches, while Hashim Amla needed 101 innings across 104 matches. Babar therefore reached the milestone four innings sooner.
Why Innings Matter More Than Matches
A batter may participate in an ODI without getting an opportunity to bat. In that situation, the match counts as an appearance, but no batting innings is recorded. Comparing innings therefore offers a clearer picture of how quickly players accumulate runs.
However, reaching 5,000 runs in fewer innings does not automatically make one batter better than another. Batting position, playing conditions, the era, and opportunities to score can all influence individual records.
Why the 5,000-Run Milestone Matters
Reaching 5,000 ODI runs indicates sustained performance across an extended international career. A batter must contribute against different opponents, at various venues, and under changing match conditions.
The milestone also provides a way to compare players from different generations. Vivian Richards and Brian Lara achieved it in earlier eras, while Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, and Shai Hope reached the mark in more recent years.
Babar Azam and Hashim Amla: Fastest 5,000 ODI Runs Compared
Babar Azam reached 5,000 ODI runs in 97 innings, while Hashim Amla needed 101 innings. This four-innings difference puts Babar at the top of the ODI fastest 5000 runs leaderboard.
Amla held the record from January 2015 until Babar surpassed it in May 2023. Both batters built their records through consistent performances at the top of the batting order, but Babar achieved the milestone in fewer innings.
Wrapping Up
The ODI fastest 5000 runs record belongs to Babar Azam, who reached the milestone in just 97 innings. His achievement surpassed Hashim Amla’s previous record of 101 innings and placed him ahead of leading batters such as Virat Kohli, Vivian Richards, and Shai Hope.
David Warner, Joe Root, Quinton de Kock, Brian Lara, and Shikhar Dhawan also feature among the fastest batters to reach 5,000 ODI runs. Their achievements reflect the consistency needed to perform in international cricket over several years.
For cricket fans comparing ODI batting records, the number of innings taken to reach 5,000 runs offers a clear measure of how quickly a batter achieved this major career milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who holds the record for the fastest 5,000 runs in ODI cricket?
Babar Azam holds the record for the odi fastest 5000 runs, reaching the milestone in just 97 innings. He surpassed Hashim Amla’s previous record of 101 innings in May 2023.
Q2. How many innings did Hashim Amla take to score 5,000 ODI runs?
Hashim Amla reached 5,000 ODI runs in 101 innings across 104 matches. He held the record before Babar Azam surpassed it in 2023.
Q3. How many innings did Virat Kohli take to reach 5,000 ODI runs?
Virat Kohli reached 5,000 ODI runs in 114 innings. He achieved the milestone against West Indies in Kochi on November 21, 2013.
Q4. Is the fastest 5,000 ODI runs record based on matches or innings?
The record is based on batting innings, not total matches. A batter can play in an ODI without getting an opportunity to bat, so innings provide the standard comparison for this milestone.
Q5. Who was the first player to score 5,000 runs in ODI cricket in fewer innings?
Vivian Richards was among the earliest players to reach 5,000 ODI runs quickly, achieving the milestone in 114 innings. His record highlights how batting consistency has shaped ODI cricket across generations.
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