When you talk about modern-day cricket, one name that always finds its way into the conversation is Babar Azam. Hailing from Lahore, Pakistan, Babar has not only become the face of his national team but also earned recognition as one of the most consistent batsmen across all formats. His elegance, ability to anchor innings, and match-winning temperament make him a true gem of the cricketing world.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into Babar Azam’s life, his batting and bowling records, his journey through Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, and why cricket fans across the globe can’t stop comparing him to some of the game’s all-time greats.
Early Life and Background
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Full Name: Mohammad Babar Azam
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Date of Birth: October 15, 1994 (currently 30 years old)
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Birthplace: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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Height: 1.80m
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Role: Specialist Batsman
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Batting Style: Right-handed bat
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Bowling Style: Right-arm off-break
Growing up in Lahore, Babar was surrounded by cricketing culture. Interestingly, he is also related to former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal. This family connection gave him exposure to the cricketing world at a young age, and it wasn’t long before he started making his mark at the junior level.
Babar Azam’s International Debut Journey
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ODI Debut: May 31, 2015, vs Zimbabwe at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
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Test Debut: October 13, 2016, vs West Indies at Dubai International Stadium
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T20I Debut: September 7, 2016, vs England at Emirates Old Trafford
Since his debut, Babar has consistently grown as a player, evolving into a dependable batsman and a key figure in Pakistan’s lineup.
Batting Career Overview
What sets Babar Azam apart is his ability to adapt across all three formats. Whether it’s the patience required in Tests, the anchor role in ODIs, or the explosive demands of T20 cricket, Babar has proven his worth everywhere.
Test Match Stats
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Matches: 59
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Innings: 108
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Runs Scored: 4,235
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Highest Score: 196
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Average: 42.78
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Strike Rate: 54.39
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50s/100s: 29 fifties / 9 centuries
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Boundaries: 495 fours, 23 sixes
In Tests, Babar is the definition of class and temperament. His ability to hold the innings together and play long knocks has often been compared to greats like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson.
ODI Stats
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Matches: 131
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Innings: 128
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Runs Scored: 6,235
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Highest Score: 158
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Average: 55.18
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Strike Rate: 87.96
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50s/100s: 37 fifties / 19 centuries
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Boundaries: 574 fours, 67 sixes
Babar shines the brightest in ODIs. With an average above 55, he has been Pakistan’s run machine, often steering the team out of tricky situations. His consistency in ODIs is unmatched, making him one of the top-ranked batsmen in ICC ODI rankings.
T20 International Stats
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Matches: 128
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Innings: 121
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Runs Scored: 4,223
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Highest Score: 122
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Average: 39.84
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Strike Rate: 129.23
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50s/100s: 36 fifties / 3 centuries
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Boundaries: 447 fours, 73 sixes
In T20Is, Babar has developed a reputation as one of the most stylish openers. While he may not be as explosive as someone like Chris Gayle or David Warner, his ability to rotate strike and build partnerships makes him invaluable.
Bowling Career Snapshot
Although Babar is primarily known for his batting, he has bowled occasionally in Tests.
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Test Matches: 2 wickets in 59 matches with a best bowling figure of 1/1
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ODIs & T20Is: Has not bowled significantly in limited-overs formats
Clearly, bowling isn’t his main role, but it’s always fun for fans when he tries his hand at it.
Career Timeline Highlights
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2015: Made his ODI debut with an impressive 50 against Zimbabwe.
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2016: Broke into T20I and Test squads.
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2017: Cemented his place as Pakistan’s batting backbone in ODIs.
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2019: Starred in the Cricket World Cup as Pakistan’s highest run-scorer.
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2021: Became ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
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2022: Scored his second Test century against Australia in Karachi, a career-defining innings under pressure.
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2025: Recently played his last Test against West Indies in Multan, continuing to be a key player for Pakistan.
What Makes Babar Azam Special?
Here are a few reasons cricket experts and fans believe Babar Azam stands out:
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Consistency Across Formats – Very few players maintain averages above 40 across all formats.
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Elegant Strokeplay – His cover drives are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful shots in cricket today.
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Mental Toughness – Babar thrives under pressure and often delivers in crunch situations.
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Modern Yet Classical – He combines modern scoring techniques with traditional batting style.
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Leadership Potential – Babar has also led Pakistan as captain, proving his tactical mindset.
Babar Azam vs Other Modern Greats
It’s impossible to talk about Babar without comparing him to other cricketing icons like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root.
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Kohli is known for his aggressive intent and unmatched chasing ability.
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Smith stands out for his unorthodox yet highly effective technique.
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Root excels in Tests with his patience and ability to grind bowlers.
Where does Babar fit in? He’s the perfect blend—combining Kohli’s consistency, Root’s patience, and Smith’s adaptability.
Also Read : Yuzvendra Chahal Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Fun Facts About Babar Azam
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He is the fastest batsman to reach 1,000 ODI runs for Pakistan.
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Holds the record for being among the quickest to reach 5,000 ODI runs globally.
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Known as the “King of Cover Drive” by fans.
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In Pakistan’s PSL (Pakistan Super League), Babar is one of the leading run-scorers.
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Off the field, Babar is admired for his calm and humble personality.
Looking Ahead
At just 30 years old, Babar still has plenty of cricket ahead of him. With the way he is going, he could easily surpass several records in both ODIs and Tests. His role in the T20 format may evolve further as Pakistan looks to build more aggressive opening partnerships, but his anchor role remains invaluable.
The next few years will be crucial for him, not just as a batsman but also as a leader. With Pakistan banking heavily on him, the cricketing world eagerly watches every move he makes.
Final Thoughts
Babar Azam isn’t just another cricketer—he’s an artist at the crease. His blend of technique, composure, and consistency has made him one of the most admired batsmen in the world. Whether he’s grinding it out in a Test match, chasing a target in ODIs, or setting the stage in T20s, Babar continues to prove why he is the backbone of Pakistan cricket.
For fans and aspiring cricketers, Babar’s journey is an inspiration—showing that with hard work, patience, and determination, you can rise from the streets of Lahore to become a global cricket superstar.
