Scoring a hundred in a One-Day International (ODI) match is considered one of the most prestigious moments in a batter's career. Pakistan, which has a history of producing some incredible fast bowlers, has also produced some excellent batters. Some of Pakistan’s batters have made their presence felt on the international stage with their sheer skill and quality. Today we shall name Pakistan players with the highest number of centuries in ODI cricket and their respective records in this format.
1. Saeed Anwar:
Saeed Anwar is a former left-handed opening batter from Karachi. Anwar was famous for his sweet ball timing and audacious stroke play. In 1989, he played his first ODI against the West Indies at Perth. He scored 8824 runs in 247 ODIs at an average of 39.21, with 20 centuries and 43 fifties to his name.
2. Babar Azam:
Next on the list is Pakistan’s current captain and the Pakistan run-machine, Babar Azam. Babar is a right-handed top-order batter from Lahore. He started playing for Pakistan in 2015 and has scored 4664 runs so far in 92 ODIs at an astounding average of 59.79. With 17 hundred to his name already, he is placed second on the list.
3. Mohammad Yousuf:
Third on the list is yet another skillful and talented batter from Lahore, Mohammad Yousuf. Yousuf was Pakistan’s run machine in the early 2000s and was famous for playing long and huge innings. He scored close to 10,000 runs in 288 ODIs at an average of 41.71. During his ODI career, he scored 15 centuries and 64 fifties.
4. Mohammad Hafeez:
Next, we have Mohammad Hafeez, a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler. Hafeez was one of Pakistan’s premier spin-bowling all-rounders alongside Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik. In 218 ODIs, Hafeez scored 6614 runs at an average of 32.90, with 11 centuries and 38 fifties to his name.
5. Ijaz Ahmed:
Next on the list is Ijaz Ahmed, a right-handed top-order batter from Sialkot, Punjab. Ijaz debuted in ODI cricket in 1986 against the West Indies. In 250 ODIs, he scored 6564 runs at an average of 32.33 with ten centuries and 37 fifties to his name and had the highest score of 139 not out. He retired in 2006 after playing his last ODI against New Zealand.
6. Inzamam-ul-Haq:
Next on the list is Inzamam-ul-Haq, a former Pakistan captain and a right-handed batter from Multan. He was a bulky person but one of Pakistan’s most prolific batters who had all the shots in his batting armory. He scored 11739 runs in 378 ODIs at an average of 39.52 and had ten centuries and 83 fifties.
7. Inzamam-ul-Haq:
Imam-ul-Haq, a left-handed opening batter from Lahore and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s nephew, is next on the list. Imam has a strong and clean batting technique and plays proper cricket shots. He played his first ODI in 2017 against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. So far, he has scored 2528 runs in 54 ODIs at an average of 52.66 and has nine hundred to his name.
8. Ramiz Raza:
The current chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and a former right-handed batter, Ramiz Raza, come next on the list. Ramiz started his ODI career in 1985 against New Zealand at Christchurch. He made 5841 runs in 198 ODIs at an average of 32.09, with nine hundred and 31 fifties to his name. In 1997, he played his last ODI against India.
9. Shoaib Malik:
Number nine on the list is Shoaib Malik, a Pakistan veteran and one of their most handy all-rounders. Malik was a right-handed batter and used to bowl right-arm off-spin. He scored over 7500 runs and took 158 wickets in 287 ODIs, and had nine hundred and 44 fifties to his name by the time he retired.
10. Salman Butt:
Last, we have Salman Butt, a left-handed batter from Lahore and one of Pakistan’s most naturally talented players. However, he could never be a long-term asset for the team as he was found guilty of match-fixing charges. He scored 2725 runs in 78 ODIs, with eight hundred and 14 fifties to his name.