World Cup 2019: Babar Azam amassing runs at a faster clip than idol Virat Kohli

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam reached the 3000-run mark in 68 innings in the match against New Zealand at World Cup 2019, and is only behind South Africa's Hashim Amla, who achieved the feat in 11 fewer innings.

Babar Azam with a shot through the offside against New Zealand.

Pakitan's Babar Azam became the second fastest to 3,000 ODI runs during the World Cup 2019 pool game against New Zealand at Edgbaston on Wedesday.

The No. 3 batsman reached the mark in 68 innings, seven fewer than his idol Virat Kohli. He is only behind South Africa's Hashim Amla, who achieved the feat in 11 fewer outings.

Interestingly, Babar got to the 1,000 and 2,000 run-marks in fewer innings than Indian captain Kohli.

Babar brought up his first century of the tournament, and the 10th in ODIs, as he starred in Pakistan's six-wicket win over New Zealand. The 24-year-old is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the 10-nation tournament. The win over New Zealand kept Pakistan in the hunt for a semifinal berth.

After Babar's knock of 68 against South Africa, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar urged the youngster to emulate Kohli in converting his good starts into big scores by adapting to match situations.

"I would like to tell Babar Azam that when you consider Virat Kohli your idol then you should also learn to play like him. Virat has scored runs in very difficult situations. Babar should learn to take singles like Virat, learn to improvise like him,” Akhtar said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

Babar has responded in style with an unbeaten 101, an innings laced with 11 fours.