Fakhar Zaman, a Pakistani opener, and the fastest player in ODI cricket to score 1000 runs. He achieved this fencing feat in 18 innings when he scored 85 off 83 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018. From his debut to 1000 runs, it took him only 1 year and 45 days
Zaman made his ODI debut in 2017 against South Africa. In his first three innings, he already hit two half-centuries. He became a household name after a fantastic 114 runs from 106 balls against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where Pakistan posted 338 runs for 4 and India were bowled out for 158, giving Pakistan a 180-run victory.
The amazing part is that he has already crossed over 500 runs in 12 innings and needed another six innings to pass the 1000 run mark. By that time, he had six fifties, two centuries, and one double century in his record; a terrific start to an ODI career.
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Top 10 Fastest to 1000 Runs in ODI History
Here are the players who reached the 1000-run mark the fastest in ODI history:
| Player | Country | Innings | Year | Against |
| Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 18 | 2018 | Zimbabwe |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 19 | 2019 | South Africa |
| Shubman Gill | India | 19 | 2023 | New Zealand |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 21 | 2017 | Australia |
| Viv Richards | West Indies | 21 | 1980 | England |
| Kevin Pietersen | England | 21 | 2006 | India |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 21 | 2014 | Zimbabwe |
| Jonathan Trott | England | 21 | 2011 | Ireland |
| Rassie van der Dussen | South Africa | 21 | 2021 | Sri Lanka |
| Shai Hope | West Indies | 22 | 2019 | India |
Imam-ul-Haq: Just One Innings Behind
Almost six months after Zaman’s record, his teammate Imam-ul-Haq nearly matched him. Imam took 19 innings to score his first 1000 ODI runs. He reached the mark by scoring 101 runs off 116 balls against South Africa. Although Pakistan posted a strong total of 317/6, South Africa won the rain-affected game using the DLS method.
Between 2017 and the time he hit 1000 runs, Imam had scored five hundreds and four fifties. His best form came in 2018 when he made three centuries and three half-centuries in one calendar year.
Shubman Gill: Fastest Indian to 1000 ODI Runs
India’s young and stylish opener Shubman Gill ranks third on the list. He reached the 1000-runs mark in ODIs through a terrific double hundred (208 off 145 balls) v New Zealand in January 2023 at Hyderabad. He said he was the fastest Indian to get to 1000 runs in ODIs, and he was right, and he became the youngest player to get a double-hundred: 19 years and 150 days, and now the fourth fastest double-hundred in ODI Cricket.
Viv Richards: A Pioneer of Fast Scoring
Even after so many years of retirement, West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards still holds a spot in the top four, which shows how special his record is. He scored his 1000th run in ODI form during January 1980 against England. It was his 22nd ODI, and while Richards took a bit over four years to reach that number because of the number of matches in that time frame, Richards was a great player in any period in which he played, with a very impressive strike rate and consistency.
Other Players in the Fastest 1000 Runs Club
Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, both from England, are also included in this exclusive list as they both reached 1000 ODI runs in less than 22 innings and were consistent run-makers for their team during their peak years.
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli also featured in the top fifteen list as he created history soon after, scoring 1000 ODI runs in his 27th match, as the rest they say, is history and one of the most decorated careers in cricket.
Conclusion
The race to 1000 runs in One Day International (ODI) cricket is not just a numeric figure but an indication of a player’s talent, form and consistency. From Fakhar Zaman’s 18 innings record to Shubman Gill’s final leap as the fastest Indian, each player showed a varying style but the same eagerness to succeed.
Those records that were made many years ago shouldn’t stay, with legends like Sir Vivian Richards. But with new names like Gill and Imam-ul-Haq, it’s good to know the future of the game is in safe hands. These moments are special, and they remind our cricket community that it is not static, and every new generation can take forward new heroes.
We, as cricket fans, are expecting to see many more fun records over the next couple of years. Whether you’re listening live on the radio or just checking your stats on your online cricket betting websites, these achievements will provide enjoyment and excitement and keep the spirit of the game alive.
