Rawalpindi, Sunday.
Babar Azam needed seven runs. He got them in four balls. The fifth Pakistan batter to cross 16,000 international runs fell short of a half-century but still made history in the fourth over against Sri Lanka.
The moment came after Saim Ayub fell to Dilshan Madushanka. Babar stepped in, and Asitha Fernando's delivery found the gap. Three runs later, the milestone was complete. He ended the innings on 45, dismissed by Pavan Rathnayake off Eshan Malinga.
This is his 355th international match. Since debuting in 2015, he's built a career defined by consistency. Inzamam holds the record for Pakistan with 20,541 runs. Younis is second with 17,790. Yousuf sits at 17,134. Miandad, the pioneer, finished with 16,213.
Globally, Sachin Tendulkar remains untouchable with 34,357 runs. Kohli follows with 28,527. Babar's next target: closing that gap.
The tri-series continues. The next match is set for later in the week.