Babar Azam is a Pakistani cricketer born on October 15, 1994, in Lahore, Pakistan. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and promising young batsmen in modern-day cricket. Known for his elegant stroke play and consistent performances across formats, Babar Azam has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of Pakistan's cricketing sensations.
From a young age, Babar Azam exhibited an extraordinary aptitude for the sport. His cricketing journey officially began when he was just 16 years old, marking the start of what would become a stellar international career.
Before he made his international debut, Babar honed his skills in domestic cricket. He represented Lahore in the Lahore Under-16s and Under-19s teams, consistently piling on runs and showcasing his prodigious talent. His elegant strokeplay and composure at the crease drew comparisons to some of the greats of the game, hinting at a bright future ahead.
His breakthrough in domestic cricket came with the Lahore Blues in the 2016–17 season. He played a pivotal role in guiding his team to victory in the National One-Day Cup, ending the tournament as the highest run-scorer. This success marked the beginning of his rise through the ranks of Pakistani cricket.
Babar Azam's international career commenced in 2016 with an ODI debut against Zimbabwe, where he made an immediate impact by scoring a fifty. His T20I debut soon followed, and he continued to impress with his elegant batting style and ability to adapt to different formats. Babar's Test debut in the same year solidified his status as a complete cricketer capable of thriving in all formats and conditions.
Over the years, Babar's consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a linchpin of Pakistan's batting lineup. His adaptability and maturity as a player were recognized when he was appointed as the captain of the T20I team in 2019, followed by the captaincy of the ODI & Test teams. Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved remarkable victories, instilling hope and confidence in the team's future.
One of the standout features of Babar's batting is his elegant and classical strokeplay. He possesses a wide array of cricketing shots and plays them with finesse. His cover drives, flicks, and on-drives are particularly pleasing to watch, and they reflect his natural talent and impeccable technique. He is highly admired around the world for his cover drive and punch of the back foot especially.
Babar Azam's impeccable timing is a hallmark of his batting. He plays the ball very late, right under his eyes and that allows him to be in complete control while playing shots or defending the ball. He has a keen sense of when to play a shot, allowing him to pierce gaps in the field and find boundaries with apparent ease. His ability to time the ball allows him to score runs effortlessly.
Babar Azam's adaptability is one of his greatest strengths. Whether it's adjusting to different pitch conditions or switching between formats. He can rotate strike in ODIs, play with aggression in T20s, and build long innings in Test matches. He is ultra consistent in all formats, as he has been on top of the world over a long period of time.
Babar has a cool and composed demeanor at the crease, even in high-pressure situations. He is known for his ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships, which makes him a dependable batsman in all formats of the game. His ability to stay calm and control his nerves makes him an elite cricketer and this is the reason why he is the talisman of Pakistan Cricket Team.
Babar Azam's list of records and achievements in international cricket is nothing short of astounding. Here's some of his remarkable milestones and accolades.
Babar Azam is the third-fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 1000 runs in ODI cricket, accomplishing this feat in just 21 innings.
He shares the title of being the fastest Pakistani to reach 2000 runs in ODI cricket (45 innings) with the legendary Zaheer Abbas.
Babar Azam is the second fastest Asian batsman to reach 3000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving this milestone in just 68 innings.
Setting a new record, he became the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving this feat in just 97 innings.
Babar also holds the record for scoring the most runs in the first 25 innings of his career, amassing an impressive 1306 runs.
In a remarkable display of consistency, Babar Azam became the only cricketer to score 5 consecutive centuries in a single country, the United Arab Emirates.
Babar Azam is the fastest batsman to reach 2000 and 2500 T20I runs.
He's one of only three Pakistani batsmen to score a century in all formats and holds the record for the highest T20I score for Pakistan.
Babar Azam is the first Pakistani captain and fifth overall to amass 1000 runs across all formats.
In a display of remarkable endurance, Babar Azam faced 425 balls in the second Test against Australia in Karachi in 2022, ranking fourth for the most balls faced in the fourth innings of a Test match.
He has a test hundred at Brisbane, Galle and has dominated the bowling attacks in England and South Africa as well.
Babar is the fastest batsman to reach the milestones of 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 ODI centuries.
With 19 centuries in ODIs, he boasts the second most centuries in this format for a Pakistani batter, only behind Saeed Anwar's 20.
He is the sole batsman in cricket history to score three consecutive centuries twice, a testament to his incredible form.
