Pakistan vs South Africa: Babar Azam can overtake Kohli as world's top ODI batsman

Pakistani skipper Babar Azam has closed in on Indian skipper Virat Kohli as far as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) fresh ODI batsmen's rankings are concerned.

Babar Azam has improved on spot in the rankings to sit on number 2 in the table, only behind his Indian counterpart Kohli.

According to the ranking released by the cricket council, Babar Azam has climbed to the number two spot by gaining a place in the rankings' table. The Pakistani skipper has accumulated 837 points, only behind Kohli who has amassed 868 points.

Cricket statistician Mazher Arshad pointed out that Babar Azam can get closer to or even claim the number 1 spot from Kohli in the upcoming Pakistan vs South Africa series.

"Babar Azam (837 rating points) is now the second best batsman in ICC ODI Rankings and will have an opportunity to get close to, or even beat, the number one ranked Virat Kohli (868 points) in the upcoming series against South Africa," tweeted Arshad.

This is not the only impressive feat that the 26-year-old Pakistani skipper has achieved. Babar Azam has the distinction to be the only Pakistani batsman who is in the top 10 of the ICC's batsman rankings in all formats of the game.

In T20Is, Babar Azam is placed at number three in the world rankings while in the Test format, he is the sixth best batsman in the world.

The green shirts take on South Africa, right before they play two Tests and three T20I for their Zimbabwe tour, which is scheduled to begin from April 17.

Tour schedule

April 2 - 1st ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

April 4 - 2nd ODI; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

April 7 - 3rd ODI; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

April 10 - 1st T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

April 12 - 2nd T20I; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

April 14 - 3rd T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria

April 16 -4th T20I; SuperSport Park, Pretoria