Babar Azam – Pakistan’s Modern Batting Maestro

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Over the years, cricket has seen many batting greats, and Babar Azam is one of the finest in the modern era. Stylish and technically correct, with hunger for runs, Babar has been acclaimed as probably the best batter to emerge from Pakistan after Inzamam-ul-Haq. The right-hander’s immaculate cover drives and composure along with his success in taking pressure as his ally have started cementing that foundation for Pakistan.

The inspirational journey of Babar, from ball-picker in Lahore to the Pakistan captain across formats. He has not only piled up runs in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests but spearheaded the shift in Pakistan’s approach. A modern great, he embodies the holy grail of consistency in international cricket and is invariably mentioned in the same breath as Virat Kohli and Joe Root.

The best cricketers have not grown past Babar Azam, for he still remains quite an outstanding batsman in the Pakistani line up, an iconic leader and record-breaker. He is very strategic like he is in cricket where he uses tactics and plays accurately as seen on real money games India whereby people decide and play to win.

Early Life and Background

Born on October 15, 1994, in Lahore, Pakistan, Babar Azam didn’t have to think for himself with regard to following cricket. He acquired the bat at a young age because he hailed from a family that had an entrenched cricketing background. His cousins were making waves in international cricket – Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal – and a young tenacious Babar would often be seen tagging along with them for practice.

Passion for the game came naturally from his youth. While other children were playing gully cricket, Babar was dreaming big. He got enrolled in the Gaddafi Stadium youth setup in Lahore, learning under extremely experienced coaches. It paid him when he got chosen in the Pakistan U-15 and U-19 teams where he showed the potential in the age groups.

One of the defining moments of his early career came in the 2012 U-19 Cricket World Cup, where he finished as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer. His ability to anchor innings, rotate strike effortlessly, and play elegant shots made him stand out. It was clear—Pakistan had unearthed a gem.

Domestic & International Debut

Before he made waves into international cricket, Babar had proved his worth in the domestic circuit. Believe it or not, Babar started with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in 2010 and then went on to represent Islamabad Leopards and Lahore Blues wherein he was scoring plenty of runs. It was his performances in the Pakistan domestic List A and First Class cricket, which caught the selectors’ attention, and soon enough, he received his first national call-up.

He made his ODI debut on 31 May 2015 against Zimbabwe in Lahore. It was a historic occasion—not for him individually, but for Pakistan cricket since international matches had come back to Pakistan made after years of playing in isolation. His first impression from his home ground was a steady 54, reflecting a part of the potential in store.

He made his T20I debut a year later, in September 2016, again against England. But the real impact was on his Test debut in October 2016 against the West Indies when he scored 69 fluently in his very first innings. This was just the beginning.

Most cricketers find it hard to adapt from domestic to international cricket; Babar proved such a transition was a walk in the park. His ability to find the gaps, keep the balls along the ground, and compose himself stood out. But it was not only the batting; his work ethic, discipline, and hunger for runs would make everyone take note.

Rise to Stardom

If his debut year was about settling in, 2017 was the year Babar Azam took flight. He dominated ODI cricket, scoring over 1,000 runs in the calendar year, a feat only a handful of Pakistani batters had achieved. His ability to chase targets, accelerate innings, and play match-winning knocks made him Pakistan’s most reliable batsman.

One of his most iconic performances came in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India. While Fakhar Zaman stole the headlines with his century, Babar’s crucial partnership in the middle order ensured Pakistan posted a match-winning total.

In Tests, he gradually came to the fore, scoring hundreds under trying conditions. In Australia (2019), he silenced his critics with a magnificent 104 in Brisbane to show that he could handle pace and bounce. What sealed this reputation was his performance in South Africa (2021), where he skippered Pakistan to a rare series win.

As a T20I batsman, Babar was unstoppable. He became the fastest player to score 1,000 runs in T20Is, bettering Kohli’s record. This strike rate, the range of shots, and his ally in pacing an innings established him as one of the best T20 batsmen in the world.

He only got bigger with time did Babar. All the formats’ captaincy of Pakistan was given to him in 2021, an assignment that he took immense pride in. There’s no other way to say it other than just under his leadership, Pakistan beat India in a World Cup for the first time (T20 World Cup 2021) and that’s a victory that will be remembered for ages.

A Lahore lad to one of the finest batters in the world – the journey of Babar Azam is one in a million. And, the most beautiful thing? This lad has just begun.

Captaincy and Leadership

Leading Pakistan in cricket is an obvious challenge. The pressure, the expectations, and the never-ending army of critics from all sides of the cricketing spectrum make the job perhaps quite inaccessible. However, when he was made T20I captain in 2019 and later the ODI and Test captain in 2020, that’s Babar Azam for you. Cool-headed, tactically astute, and with a game that shone at the very forefront.

Having said that from the word go, Babar was all about changing the mindset of the team, stressing consistency, backing the guys, and playing fearless cricket. Led by him, Pakistan became a force to reckon with more specifically in the white-ball formats.

Challenges and Achievements as Captain

Being charge of a less experienced team certainly had its share of problems. Babar had to deal with dressing-room dynamics, inconsistency, as well as constant comparisons with former captains Imran Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. Critics continuously asked whether he was an aggressive leader and if he had tactical nous, but he allowed his bat to speak for him.

His captaincy highlights are:

• Pakistan’s historic T20 World Cup win over India (2021) – A 10-wicket thrashing, where he and Mohammad Rizwan made a mockery of India’s bowling attack.
• A Test series win in South Africa (2021) – Pakistan’s first since 2007. 
• White-ball dominance – Pakistan climbed to No. 1 in the ODI rankings in 2023 under his leadership.
•  Leading from the front – Consistently scoring runs in all formats while carrying the weight of captaincy.

However, leadership also brought setbacks. The 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final exit and a rough 2023 World Cup campaign raised questions about his tactical decisions. Eventually, he stepped down as captain in late 2023, allowing new leadership to take over while he focused on his batting.

Babar Azam’s Batting Records and Statistics

Numbers never lie and so do Babar’s figures that portray his masterly role in all three formats of the game. Whether Test, ODI, or T20 International, he is amongst those for whom the hunger for runs has never been matched. He still holds the records for being the fastest to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 runs in ODI cricket and his consistency in T20 Internationals would place him similarly.

Here’s a look at his total runs in all formats:

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	100s	50s	Highest Score
Tests	57	103	4,190	48.55	9	28	196
ODIs	127	125	6,083	56.73	19	35	158
T20Is	128	124	4,223	39.83	3	36	122
Total	312	352	14,496	48.53	31	99	196

His impressive tally of runs and consistent performance across formats underscore him one of the premier batsmen of Pakistan. One of his prime assets is his high average runs. He has scored several centuries and half-centuries as a regular performer in different formats of Pakistani cricket. The success of Pakistan largely depends on the runs he scores.

His ability to maintain a high average across all formats is just indicative of his class and, most above all, consistency. Unlike some players who would keep one-day-runners and test-runners separate, he is a true all-format batsman.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Babar Azam’s list of achievements keeps growing. Every year, he breaks records, cements his place in history, and silences his critics with breathtaking performances.

Some of his greatest milestones include:

• Fastest 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 ODI runs – Surpassing legends like Virat Kohli and Hashim Amla in speed.
• Most runs in a single ODI series for Pakistan – 615 runs in six matches against England in 2021.
• Only player to score 1,000+ runs in ODIs for three consecutive years (2019-2021).
• Fastest to 2,000 runs in T20Is – Breaking Virat Kohli’s record.
• Only Pakistani to be ranked No.1 in ODIs and T20Is simultaneously.

Comps to Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root are inevitable. More career runs than Kohli, but Babar’s meteoric rise, fluid stroke play, and aplomb under pressure surely set him up to be a modern-day great. Some of the most optimistic ones even claim that if he continues so consistently, he will even outshine Kohli’s records.

Babar Azam’s Centuries List Against Teams

Babar Azam becomes the centurion against top teams India in World Cup matches, Australia in Test matches, and England in ODI matches. Only on important occasions, he comes up with the goods.

Here’s a breakdown of his centuries against different teams:

ODIs:

• 5 centuries against South Africa
• 4 centuries against England
• 3 centuries against Australia
• 3 centuries against New Zealand
• 2 centuries against India

Tests:

• 4 centuries against Sri Lanka
• 3 centuries against Australia
• 2 centuries against South Africa
• 2 centuries against England

T20Is:

• 1 century against South Africa
• 1 century against England

His highest scores in each format:

• Test: 196 vs. Australia (Karachi, 2022)
• ODI: 158 vs. England (Birmingham, 2021)
• T20I: 122 vs. South Africa (Centurion, 2021)

Babar Azam’s journey from a ball-picker in Lahore to the backbone of Pakistan cricket is a testament to his dedication and talent. He’s not just a player—he’s a phenomenon. And the scary part? He’s only getting started.

Playing Style & Strengths

If one thing describes Babar Azam’s batting, it is elegance. He has not strictly relied on brute force, nor has he leveraged unorthodox innovation, but carefully timed cover drives and precise footwork that seems as though it was directly lifted from the coaching manual. To watch him batting is to watch an artist at work on an exquisite masterpiece.

Elegant Cover Drives and Footwork

The cover drive is Babar’s signature shot. Whether it’s a juicy half-volley or a ball outside off-stump, his wrists and balance ensure that the ball races to the boundary with minimal effort. No unnecessary power, no ugly slogs—just pure timing.

His footwork is another standout feature. Against pacers, he gets into position early, adjusting seamlessly to bounce and swing. Against spinners, his use of the crease—either going deep or stepping out—makes him a nightmare to bowl to.

Strengths in Different Formats

• Tests – Solid technique, patience, and the ability to play long innings make him a pillar in Pakistan’s red-ball setup.
• ODIs – Consistency is his superpower. He scores heavily without taking unnecessary risks, making him a reliable anchor.
• T20Is – While not as explosive as some, his ability to find gaps, rotate strike, and accelerate when needed makes him a top T20 batter.

Areas of Improvement and Challenges

Even the best have areas to improve. While Babar is a run-machine, there are a few things that critics point out:

• Strike rate in T20Is – Sometimes, he takes time to settle, which can put pressure on the team in high-scoring games.
• Handling short-pitched bowling – Though he has improved, top-quality fast bowlers occasionally trouble him with extra bounce.
• Captaincy decision-making – Though no longer captain, some of his tactical choices were questioned, especially in ICC events.

But if history tells us anything, it’s that Babar Azam learns and evolves. He’s not one to stay in his comfort zone.

Memorable Knocks & Highest Scores

When you’ve played as many top-tier innings as Babar, picking favorites is tough. But some knocks have defined his career, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion.

Babar Azam’s Top 5 Highest Scores in Each Format

Format	Score	Against	Year
Test	196	Australia	2022
ODI	158	England	2021
T20I	122	South Africa	2021
PSL	115*	Quetta Gladiators	2023
Domestic Cricket	266	Habib Bank Ltd	2016

Each of these innings tells a different story—some were match-winning, some were played under immense pressure, and some were simply batting masterclasses.

His 196 against Australia in Karachi was a marathon effort that saved Pakistan from defeat. His 158 against England showed his ability to dominate a world-class attack. And his 122 in T20Is? That proved he could go big in the shortest format, too.

Influence on Pakistan Cricket & Future Prospects

The land of fast bowlers has always been Pakistan, but Babar Azam has changed the narrative. He proved that Pakistan can produce world-class batters as well, who go toe to toe with the best.

Role in Inspiring Young Cricketers

Step in any cricket academy in Pakistan today, and you’ll find kids trying to emulate Babar’s cover drive. That’s how much of an impact he’s had. He’s provided young batters with a role model to prove that success follows discipline, technique, and hard work.

Expectations for Future Tournaments

With captaincy no longer a burden, Babar can focus purely on batting. Fans are expecting him to:

• Lead the run charts in the 2025 Champions Trophy
• Dominate in Test matches in Australia and England
• Help Pakistan win their second T20 World Cup

At 30, he’s entering the prime years of his career. If he maintains his hunger for runs, more records will tumble.

Legacy in Pakistan Cricket

When his career is over, where will he stand among Pakistan’s greats? Right now, he’s already in the same conversation as Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Younis Khan. But if he continues this trajectory, he might just end up as Pakistan’s greatest-ever batter.

Babar’s genius has not gone unnoticed. Pundits, former cricketers, and analysts have all been singing his laurels.

Michael Vaughan: “Babar Azam is as good as anyone. Pakistan has a superstar on their hands.”

Ricky Ponting: “The way he controls the game, his technique, his hunger for runs – it’s world class.”

Babar Azam is not just a regular cricketer. He is a phenomenon. A run-machine, a modern-day great. And If his career thus far is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many runs does Babar Azam have compared to Virat Kohli?

Right now, Babar has over 12,000 international runs in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This makes him the quickest to reach the milestone. 

2. How many hundreds does Babar Azam have compared to Virat Kohli? 

Babar: 13 Kohli: 27. Meaning that they’re both modern-day greats. Kohli is the advantage having been there for a while and getting more overall runs but Babar is playing catch up fast with better numbers early on in his career.

3. Has Babar Azam ever won any ICC awards?

Oh, yes! He has bagged multiple ICC awards which comprise ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year and ICC Player of the Year.