Being the fastest to reach a particular number of runs in any format of cricket is a special feat. Over the years, cricket has witnessed several players achieving milestones by reaching specific run counts in record-breaking innings.
One notable example is the race to 10,000 runs in ODIs. Virat Kohli holds the record for being the fastest to reach this milestone, accomplishing it in 205 innings. Similarly, another impressive feat is being the fastest to 1,000 runs in ODIs. This record is held by Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman, who achieved it in 18 innings.
List of Fastest to Reach 1000 Runs in ODI
| Player | Opposition | Ground | Match Date | Time | Mat | Inns |
| Fakhar Zaman | v Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 22 Jul 2018 | 1y 45d | 18 | 18 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | v South Africa | Centurion | 25 Jan 2019 | 1y 99d | 19 | 19 |
| Shubman Gill | v New Zealand | Hyderabad | 18 Jan 2023 | 3y 352d | 19 | 19 |
| IVA Richards | v England | Sydney | 22 Jan 1980 | 4y 229d | 22 | 21 |
| KP Pietersen | v India | Faridabad | 31 Mar 2006 | 1y 123d | 27 | 21 |
| IJL Trott | v Ireland | Bengaluru | 2 Mar 2011 | 1y 187d | 21 | 21 |
| Q de Kock | v Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 19 Aug 2014 | 1y 212d | 21 | 21 |
| Babar Azam | v Australia | Perth | 19 Jan 2017 | 1y 233d | 21 | 21 |
| HE van der Dussen | v Sri Lanka | Colombo | 2 Sep 2021 | 2y 226d | 27 | 21 |
| DJ Malan | v New Zealand | Lord’s | 15 Sep 2023 | 4y 135d | 21 | 21 |
1. Fakhar Zaman – Pakistan
Debuting on June 7, 2017, Fakhar Zaman created a record for himself in only his second year in ODI cricket. On July 22, 2018, against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, he became the fastest to 1000 runs, achieving the feat in just 18 innings.
The veteran batsman has amassed a total of 3492 runs in his ODI career of 82 matches. One of his standout performances includes a blistering knock against India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where he scored a knock of114 runs, helping Pakistan clinch the title.
2. Imam-ul-Haq – Pakistan
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq has made a name for himself as a reliable opener for Pakistan. Debuting on October 18, 2017, he reached the 1000-run mark in 19 innings, when he faces South Africa at Centurion on January 25, 2019. In his ODI career, Imam-ul-Haq has accumulated 3138 runs in 72 matches. In his first ODI, he became the second batsman for Pakistan, and 13th overall, to score a century on debut.
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3. Shubman Gill – India
The young Indian sensation, Shubman Gill, announced his arrival on the international stage with a bang. Debuting on January 31, 2019, Gill made an immediate impact, reaching 1000 runs in just 19 innings against New Zealand in Hyderabad on January 18, 2023.
With 2261 runs to his name in 44 ODI matches, Gill has established himself as one of the batting mainstays for India. In January 2023 in Hyderabad, he became the youngest batsman to score a double century in ODIs. The then 23-year-old faced 149 balls and scored 208 runs against New Zealand.
4. Sir Vivian Richards – West Indies
A cricketing icon, Sir Vivian Richards takes up the fourth spot on the list. Making his debut on June 7, 1975, Richards reached the 1000-run milestone in 22 innings, facing England in Sydney on January 22, 1980.
Richards was a part of the victorious West Indies squads of the 1975 and 1979 Cricket World Cups and also played a crucial role for the team when they finished as runners-up in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He scored 1281 runs at an impressive average of over 55 in World Series Cricket, considered the biggest cricket competition during that era.
5. Kevin Pietersen – England
Kevin Pietersen, known for his flamboyant strokeplay, left a lasting impact on English cricket. Debuting on November 28, 2004, Pietersen reached 1000 runs in 27 innings, reaching the milestone against India in Faridabad on March 31, 2006.
He also holds the record for being the fastest player to cross 2,000 runs in ODIs. Pietersen ended his ODI career with 4440 runs in 136 matches at an average of 40.73. He announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket in 2018.
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6. Jonathan Trott – England
Jonathan Trott finds himself on the sixth spot in the list. Debuting on August 27, 2009, Trott reached 1000 runs in 21 innings against Ireland in Bengaluru on March 2, 2011. He concluded his international cricket career on May 4, 2015 with 2819 runs in ODIs at an average of 51.25.
Subsequently, in May 2018, Trott announced his retirement from professional cricket. In July 2022, he was appointed as the new head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team.
7. Quinton de Kock – South Africa
Quinton de Kock’s explosive batting at the top of the order has been instrumental for South Africa. Debuting on January 19, 2013, de Kock reached 1000 runs in 21 innings against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on August 19, 2014.
By his 20th ODI match, De Kock had already notched up five centuries. In his 74th ODI, facing Sri Lanka in 2017, he set a new record as the fastest player to reach 12 ODI hundreds, surpassing Hashim Amla’s previous record of achieving the milestone in 81 innings.
8. Babar Azam – Pakistan
Babar Azam, often hailed as the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, has established himself as one of the premier batsmen in modern-day cricket. Debuting on May 31, 2015, Azam reached 1000 runs in 21 innings against Australia in Perth on January 19, 2017.
During the home series against the West Indies in 2016, Azam scored three consecutive centuries. In the first ODI, he scored his maiden international century, scoring an impressive 120 runs from 131 balls. This was followed by two more centuries in the next two games. Overall, he has scored 19 centuries in the ODI format.
9. Heinrich Klaasen – South Africa
Heinrich Klaasen, known for his aggressive batting style, has been a valuable asset for South Africa. Debuting on January 19, 2019, Klaasen reached 1000 runs in 27 innings against Sri Lanka in Colombo on September 2, 2021. In 2023, during a match against the West Indies, Klaasen delivered one of his finest performances in the ODI format, scoring his second century in just 54 balls.
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10. Dawid Malan – England
Dawid Malan’s elegant strokeplay and ability to adapt to different conditions have made him a key player for England. Debuting on May 3, 2019, Malan reached 1000 runs in 21 innings against New Zealand in Lord’s on September 15, 2023.
In 2022, during a match against the Netherlands, Malan achieved his first century in ODI cricket, scoring 125 runs. That game made history as England posted a monumental score of 498 runs, which stands as the highest team total in ODI history. Malan’s century was one of three in the innings, alongside Phil Salt and Jos Buttler.
