Mohammad Babar Azam, a right-hand, top-order batsman from Pakistan, has established himself as one of the country’s finest cricketers. Known for his discipline and level-headed attitude, Azam made his mark in 2016 with an impressive performance against West Indies, where he scored three consecutive ODI hundreds.
Born in Lahore, Azam comes from a cricketing family, being the first cousin of the renowned Akmal brothers. He began his cricketing journey in age-group cricket, representing Pakistan in the under-15 World Championship in 2008 and later featuring in two under-19 World Cups in 2010 and 2012, where he emerged as the top run-scorer for his country.
Azam’s rise occurred during a period when Pakistan was isolated as an international cricketing venue due to security concerns. Despite these challenges, he made his debut for the national side in 2015 during a home ODI series against Zimbabwe. His remarkable performance in the ODIs against West Indies eventually earned him a Test debut, providing him with an opportunity to secure a permanent spot in the team following the retirements of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Since then, Azam has excelled, becoming Pakistan’s best batsman and a role model for aspiring cricketers in the country. He holds the record for being the second fastest player to reach 2000 ODI runs and the second quickest to accumulate 1000 T20I runs. With more ODI hundreds than all but two Pakistani batsmen, Azam’s century against New Zealand in a crucial World Cup match has gone down as one of Pakistan’s greatest individual ODI performances.
While his Test career took some time to gain momentum, Azam has steadily improved year after year, establishing himself as one of the best Test batsmen since 2018. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Azam has been able to maintain his form and performance, displaying a maturity beyond his years.
In addition to his playing skills, Azam has taken up leadership responsibilities within the Pakistani team. In 2019, he was appointed as the captain for T20Is and ODIs, and more recently, he was made the Test captain in 2021. Despite the added pressure, Azam’s personal form has remained consistent, solidifying his position as one of the finest batsmen in the world.
Although not known for his strategic thinking, Azam’s captaincy demonstrates signs of progressive and modern thoughts. He continues to learn and grow in his role, shouldering the responsibility without showing signs of strain.
At a young age, Azam has already achieved remarkable feats, placing him among the best batsmen in Pakistan’s cricketing history. With his promising potential and unwavering dedication, he is set to leave an indelible mark on the game, both domestically and internationally.