Introduction
Babar Azam is one of the most technically sound and stylish batters in world cricket today. Hailing from Pakistan, Babar has built his reputation on consistency, composure, and class across all formats. From his impeccable cover drives to his calm leadership, Babar is widely regarded as the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup and one of the leading batters of his generation.
With comparisons to legends like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root, Babar continues to script a legacy that Pakistan cricket can proudly stand behind.
Babar Azam’s Early Life and Rise to Stardom
Born on October 15, 1994, in Lahore, Pakistan, Babar Azam’s love for cricket started in the streets of his hometown. Coming from a cricketing family, he was inspired by his cousins Kamran and Umar Akmal. After shining in age-group cricket, he made waves in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2012 and soon broke into Pakistan’s senior team.
Babar made his ODI debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe, scoring a fluent 54. What followed was a rise so steady and composed that within just a few years, Babar was not only anchoring Pakistan’s batting but also leading them across all formats.
A Batting Genius Across Formats
Babar Azam has mastered the art of accumulating runs in every format — be it anchoring an ODI innings, leading a gritty Test knock, or playing explosive T20 cameos. His cover drive is a sight to behold, often compared to the greats of the game.
His ability to pace the innings, adapt to match situations, and maintain consistency makes him a rare blend of elegance and effectiveness. Babar has been among the top-ranked ICC batters across formats consistently and has multiple records to his name.
Babar Azam’s Career Snapshot
Category Details
Full Name Mohammad Babar Azam
Role Top-order batter
Batting Style Right-handed
Captaincy Former captain of Pakistan in all three formats
ODI Debut May 31, 2015 vs Zimbabwe
Test Debut October 13, 2016 vs West Indies
T20I Debut September 7, 2016 vs England
IPL / Franchise Played in PSL for Peshawar Zalmi, previously for Karachi
Best Performances by Babar Azam
Format Opponent Venue Performance
Test Australia Brisbane (2019) 104 – Fighting ton in difficult chase
ODI West Indies UAE (2016) 120, 123, 117 – Three consecutive tons
T20I South Africa Lahore (2021) 122 – His highest T20I score
Test England Rawalpindi (2022) 136 – Anchoring Pakistan’s innings
ODI India Birmingham (2017) 46* – Crucial in Champions Trophy final
Babar Azam’s Stats Summary (as of 2025)
Format Matches Runs Average Centuries Best Score
Tests 52+ 4100+ 45+ 9 196
ODIs 120+ 5400+ 56+ 19 158
T20Is 100+ 3700+ 42+ 3 122
PSL 80+ 3000+ 44+ 2 115
Records and Milestones
Fastest batter to reach 2000 runs in T20Is
Only Pakistani to score three consecutive ODI centuries twice
Ranked No. 1 ODI batter multiple times by ICC
Captaincy: Led Pakistan to the T20 World Cup 2022 final
Highest average among Pakistan batters in ODIs and T20Is over a decade
One of the few batters with a 50+ average across formats for several years
Babar Azam’s Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Babar is more than just a batter—he’s the symbol of a new era for Pakistan. His calm demeanor, steady performances, and leadership qualities have helped bring stability to a team once known for unpredictability. Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the No.1 T20I ranking, played a World Cup final, and defeated strong teams like India, England, and New Zealand in ICC events.
The Road Ahead for Babar Azam
Still in his prime, Babar Azam’s hunger for runs and desire to evolve keeps him ahead of the curve. As Pakistan reshapes its squad for future ICC tournaments, Babar remains the bedrock around which the team is built. With plenty of cricket left in him, fans can expect more masterclasses from the prince of Pakistani batting.
