Pakistan beat New Zealand to clinch top position in ODI cricket ranking

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan clinched the top position in one-day cricket ranking after beating New Zealand in the fourth match Friday by 102 runs in Karachi.

Skipper Babar Azam's glittering 107 runs knock off 117 balls helped Pakistan achieve an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

Pakistan reached the number one position for the first time since the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body for cricket, officially recognized the rankings in 2005.

Azam, who hit 10 boundaries and a maximum to score his 18th ODI century, added another feather to his cap, becoming the fastest batsman to score 5,000 runs in the format.

He marched past South Africa's Hashim Amla, who scored 5,000 runs in 101 innings, whereas Azam took 99 innings to snatch the record.

Aside from Azam's hundred, Salman Ali Agha 's blistering 58 off 46 balls, and subsequent quick innings by Iftikhar Ahmad and Shaheen Shah Afridi helped the team post a daunting total of 334-6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Kiwis were bowled out for 232 in 43.4 overs as leg-spinner Usama Mir led Pakistan’s bowling battery with a career-best 4-43, while pacers Mohammad Wasim took three wickets for 40 runs and Haris Rauf two wickets for 37 runs, respectively.

New Zealand's skipper Tom Latham (60), Mark Chapman (46) and Daryl Mitchell (34) offered some resistance to Pakistani bowlers.

Azam was declared man of the match.

Pakistan have to win the fifth and final match against Kiwis to retain the top position.