Hashim Amla breaks Virat Kohli's record

Port Elizabeth, January 21: South Africa legend Hashim Amla on Saturday broke Virat Kohli’s record for being the fastest to reach 27 centuries in ODI cricket.

Amla has reached the milestone in 167 innings, surpassing Kohli’s 169. But the South African star has earned criticism over the manner in which he got the century in Port Elizabeth. Amla batted through the innings and ended unbeaten on 108 off 120 balls as South Africa ended their innings on a bizarre total of 267/2.

Pakistan chased it down with ease, winning the match by five wickets.

Amla’s century was his first in 15 months. It is also the first time ever that he has scored a century in a losing effort in ODI cricket. He is the fastest to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs and needs 196 runs in seven innings to become the fastest to 8000 runs.

Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series that follows a 3-0 defeat in the Test rubber. The next match will be played on Tuesday in Durban.