Over the years, Pakistan has seen some legendary batters in One Day Internationals (ODIs). From classic stroke players to big hitters, these stars helped shape Pakistan’s cricket history. Let’s take a look at the top 10 Most Runs for Pakistan in ODIs.

Most Runs for Pakistan in ODIs – Top 10 Players

RankPlayerMatchesInningsRunsAverageStrike Rate100s50sHighest Score
1Inzamam-ul-Haq37534811,70139.5374.201083137*
2Mohammad Yousuf2812679,55442.0874.911562141*
3Saeed Anwar2472448,82439.2180.672043194
4Shahid Afridi3933648,02723.81116.94639124
5Shoaib Malik2872587,53434.5581.90944143
6Javed Miandad2332187,38141.7067.01850119*
7Younis Khan2652557,24931.2475.29748144
8Saleem Malik2832567,17032.8876.41547102
9Mohammad Hafeez2182166,61432.9076.611138140*
10Ijaz Ahmed2502326,56432.3380.301037139*

A Closer Look at the Top Performers

1. Inzamam-ul-Haq – The King of Middle Order

Inzamam was Pakistan’s central pillar of batting. He was cool under pressure and consistently contributed in big games, often rescuing Pakistan from crisis. With nearly 12,000 runs, nobody can even come close to his ODI record… yet.

2. Mohammad Yousuf – Mr. Consistency

Yousuf was all about grace and timing. He didn’t just score runs but made batting look simple. He had a calmness at the crease, even though he scored heavily in hard conditions.

3. Saeed Anwar – The Classy Opener

Saeed Anwar’s 194-run knock against India stood as a record for years. He was stylish, attacking, and gave Pakistan strong starts for more than a decade.

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4. Shahid Afridi – The Entertainer

Though Afridi’s average may not have been as strong as others, his influence on the game was unmatched. He brought exciting batting, and with a strike rate above 116 and 349 sixes, he has a player who could turn matches around in a few minutes.

5. Shoaib Malik – The Steady Performer

Malik quietly built his career with important innings and match-winning knocks. Whether playing anchor or finisher, he always adjusted as per the team’s need.

6. Javed Miandad – The Fighter

Miandad’s batting was a fearless bat, especially in pressure moments, and his way of thinking about the game and ability to so realistically change his batting style makes him a legend long before most of today’s cricketers even picked up the bat.

7. Younis Khan – Grit and Grind

Younis was never the most showy player, but you always knew what you were getting. He played the game with his heart and put the expectations of the team in front of him every time he made it on the field.

8. Saleem Malik – The Underrated Maestro

A name not talked about enough today, Saleem Malik had solid numbers and carried the middle order for many years, especially in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.

9. Mohammad Hafeez – Professor with the Bat

Hafeez was more than a jack of all trades. He scored over 6,600 runs and had a couple of memorable innings that would push Pakistan to victory on several key occasions.  

10. Ijaz Ahmed – The Quiet Contributor

Ijaz was someone who was often neglected. But he made 10 centuries and at a good strike rate, he played a vital part in Pakistan’s batting line-up in the 90s.

What’s Next for Pakistan?

Babar Azam is advancing so fast it won’t be a shock to see him breaking into the top 5 any time soon. His ODI average is already among the elite. If you want to know who the upcoming stars will be, consider reading Top 10 Emerging Young Cricketers to Watch Out for in 2025.

FAQs

Q. Who is Pakistan’s highest run scorer in ODIs?

A: Inzamam-ul-Haq leads with 11,701 runs in 375 matches.

Q. Which player has the most centuries for Pakistan in ODIs?

A: Saeed Anwar with 20 centuries.

Q. Is Babar Azam close to breaking into the top 10?

A: Yes, as of 2025, Babar has 6,235+ runs and continues to rise fast.