Babar makes history with three ODI tons in a row – again

Babar Azam has become the first batter to achieve the feat of scoring three consecutive hundreds in one-day internationals on two separate occasions after his 103 helped Pakistan beat the West Indies by five wickets.

The Pakistan skipper shared a 103-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq (65) and a 108-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan (59) as the hosts chased down a target of 306 in Multan to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

The 27-year-old made two centuries against Australia before Wednesday's match and also racked up three tons in a row in 2016, all against the West Indies.

Babar hit nine fours in his 17th ODI century and the world's top-ranked ODI batter also surpassed former India skipper Virat Kohli to become the fastest player to reach 1000 runs as captain.

Babar achieved the feat in 13 innings compared with Kohli's 17.

Earlier, Shai Hope and Shamarh Brooks provided the visitors a solid platform by sharing 154-run second-wicket stand.

Hope and Brooks took on Pakistan fast bowlers Hasan Ali (0-68) and Melbourne Stars recruit Haris Rauf (4-77) while watchfully playing out the spin threat of Shadab Khan.

Brooks made 70 off 83 balls before Shadab plucked a superb one-handed sliding catch at short third man to end the threatening stand in the 31st over.

Shadab finished with 1-37 in his comeback ODI after missing out the last series against Australia in March-April due to injury.

Hope, who hit 15 fours and a six, passed 4000 ODI runs when he raised his 12th hundred off 118 balls with a boundary.

Rauf's late wickets pegged back the West Indies in the latter half of the innings despite cameos by Rovman Powell (32) and Shepherd (25).

The second game will be played on Friday with the last one scheduled for Sunday.