Babar Azam: Great Batsman In The World, King

Babar Azam: Great Batsman In The World, King

Babar Azam, a disciplined and composed right-hand, top-order batsman, secured a permanent place in Pakistan's batting line-up with an impressive performance in 2016. At the age of 22, he made a remarkable achievement by scoring three consecutive ODI centuries against West Indies in the UAE, followed by a 90 in his third Test match in Hamilton.

Hailing from Lahore and being a first cousin to the Akmal brothers, Azam gradually climbed up the ranks through age-group cricket. Babar Azam showcased his talent in the under-15 world championship in 2008 and participated in two under-19 World Cups in 2010 and 2012, emerging as Pakistan's leading run-scorer.

Babar Azam's rise to the national side occurred in 2015 during Pakistan's isolation as an international venue due to security concerns. Despite the challenges, he displayed exceptional performance in domestic age-group cricket, leading to his inclusion in the national team. Babar Azam made his debut during the home ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Following his outstanding ODI performances against West Indies, Babar Azam earned his Test debut and had the opportunity to solidify his place in the team as the careers of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq were winding down.

He seized this opportunity and surpassed expectations. Babar Azam quickly became Pakistan's premier batsman, gaining widespread recognition as one of the finest cricketers in the country and ranking among the top batsmen globally. Despite his young career, he is already regarded as one of Pakistan's all-time best batsmen.

Babar Azam achieved several milestones, including being the second fastest player to reach 2000 ODI runs and the second quickest to accumulate 1000 T20I runs. He boasts more ODI centuries than all but two Pakistani batsmen, with his World Cup hundred against New Zealand in a crucial match being hailed as an exceptional individual performance in Pakistan's ODI history. 

Although his initial years in Test cricket didn't yield immediate success like his white-ball performances, consistent improvements year after year have established him as one of the best Test batsmen since 2018.

While many players of his generation have experienced setbacks after a few years in the side, Babar Azam has remained immune to such struggles, much to Pakistan's relief. Despite the added responsibility of captaining the T20I and ODI sides since 2019, and eventually leading the Test team since 2021, his personal form has not been affected.

Although Babar Azam may not be renowned for his strategic thinking, his captaincy exhibits signs of progressive and modern approaches to the game. He continues to learn and develop in his leadership role. Despite the significant pressure placed upon him at a relatively young age, Babar Azam appears to be handling it well, showing no signs of strain.