ODI cricket is the format that comes totally with different challenges. It lets a batter start slow and build the innings, and then score quickly once set. Throughout the years, there have been many records made and broken in the format, with many batters achieving milestones. In this article, let’s talk about five batters who were fastest to score 1000 runs:
5. KP Pieterson (England)
The former English batter was known for his innovative shots and aggressive batting approach. After making his ODI debut in 2004 against Zimbabwe, the right-handed batter from England completed 1000 runs in just 21 innings in 2006 against India. He scored 71 runs in Faridabad helping the visitors to put 226/10. However it wasn’t enough for England as the hosts chased down the target with one over left. Pieterson scored 4440 runs in 125 ODI innings, including nine centuries and 25 half-centuries.
4. Viv Richards (West Indies)
The West Indian legend and one the greatest batters of his time, Sir Vivian Richards made his ODI debut in 1975 against Sri Lanka. The great Windies batter achieved the milestone in 21 innings by scoring 65 runs in the 1980 Benson and Hedges World Series Cup final against England in Sydney as he and Gordon Greenidge (unbeaten 98) helped the Windies successfully chase 209. In his 187 One-Day appearances for the Caribbean-side, Richards scored 6721 runs at an average of 47 and an impressive strike rate of 90.2, with 11 hundreds and 45 half-centuries.
3. Shubman Gill (India)
The 23-year-old batter from Punjab has shown great form and has almost cemented as an opener for India in ODIs.In his 19th ODI inning against New Zealand in Hyderabad, Shubman Gill not only scored his first double-century, but also achieved the milestone of 1000 ODI runs and became the third-fastest batter to achieve this feat. His 208 off 149 balls, helped the Men in Blue to post 349 for 8 in their 50 overs as the hosts went on to win the match 12 runs.Since his debut in 2019, Shubman has appeared in 21 ODIs, scoring 1254 runs at an average of 73.76 with four hundreds and five half-centuries
2. Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
The 27-year-old from Pakistan achieved the feat with a century against South Africa in 2019 in his 19th ODI innings. Imam-ul-Haq scored 101 in Centurion, helping the visitors to post 317. Although Pakistan couldn’t win the game as the rain played spoilsport. Imam made his ODI debut in 2017 against Sri Lanka, and has scored 2545 runs in 56 innings at an average of 50.9 with nine centuries and 14 half-centuries.
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
Fakhar Zaman achieved the milestone against Zimbabwe in 2018 by scoring 85 runs in Pakistan’s total of 364/4 in Bulawayo as the visitors went on to win the match by 131 runs.
Since his debut in 2017, Fakhar Zaman has represented Pakistan in 65 One-Day Internationals scoring 2785 runs at an average of 45.66. He has scored eight centuries and 15 half-centuries in the format.
