How Babar Azam Became Pakistan’s Best Batsman

How Babar Azam Became Pakistan’s Best Batsman

When you think about the Pakistan cricket team today, one name comes to mind: Babar Azam. At just 25 years old, Babar is already Pakistan's best batsman and one of the top batsmen in the world. His rise to the top has been nothing short of meteoric. But success didn't come easy for Babar. He worked day in and day out, honing his craft to become the player he is today.

Babar grew up in a cricket-mad family in Lahore, Pakistan. His father and two older brothers all played first-class cricket in Pakistan, so Babar was destined to follow in their footsteps. Babar started playing cricket at the age of 10 and showed immense talent from an early age. His family and friends knew he was special. By the time Babar turned 15, he earned selection to the Pakistan under-19 team and top clubs were already scouting him.

Babar's big break came in 2015 at the age of 20 when he was called up to the Pakistan senior team. In his very first ODI innings, Babar smashed a century and announced himself on the world stage. Since then, Babar has established himself as Pakistan's best batsman and as one of the top batsmen in ODI and T20 cricket. His classical technique, poise, and grace at the crease have earned him comparisons to batting legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Younis Khan.

Babar Azam's Early Life and Career

Babar Azam was born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1994. From an early age, he was destined to become a cricketer. His father was a first-class cricketer and coach, so Babar grew up practicing in the nets and studying the techniques of batting greats.

At 15, Babar made his first-class debut, playing for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited. His talent was obvious, and he was soon selected for the Pakistan under-19 team. After strong performances, he earned a spot on the Pakistan A squad to tour England in 2010. Babar scored a century in a tour match against Sri Lanka A, proving he was ready for the big leagues.

In 2015, Babar finally got his chance in the Pakistani national team. He scored a century in only his second ODI match, becoming the first Pakistani batsman to score an ODI century on debut against Zimbabwe. The next year, he smashed his way into the record books again, becoming the quickest batsman to reach 1,000 ODI runs.

Babar's textbook batting technique, mental toughness, and ability to adapt to different formats have made him Pakistan's most prized cricketer. His quick ascension to Pakistan's captain and leadership of the team during difficult times have demonstrated his maturity beyond his years. Still only in his mid-20s, Babar Azam looks set to become Pakistan's greatest ever batsman and usher in a new era of success for his country.

Babar Azam’s Domestic Career and Breakthrough Into International Cricket

Babar Azam was destined for greatness from an early age. As a teen, he was already dominating Pakistan’s domestic cricket scene. At just 15, he earned his first call-up to Pakistan’s U-19 team and helped lead them to victory in the 2010 U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Two years later, Babar made his first-class debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and averaged an impressive 42.75 runs in his first season. His breakthrough came in 2013 when he scored a double century for ZTBL against Rawalpindi, becoming the youngest Pakistani to score a double ton in first-class cricket at just 19 years of age.

Babar’s domestic success earned him a spot in Pakistan’s squad for the 2014 U-19 World Cup. He finished as the tournament’s second highest run-scorer, cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s most promising young batsmen. Later that year, he earned his first ODI and T20I call-ups, though he struggled initially to replicate his domestic form on the international stage.

After a few quiet years, Babar finally announced himself on the global stage in 2018. He became the quickest batsman in history to reach 1,000 ODI runs, doing so in just 21 innings. His breakthrough year included a record-setting innings of 210 not out against Zimbabwe and a century against New Zealand, demonstrating his potential to dominate even the best bowling attacks.

Since 2018, Babar has established himself as Pakistan’s premier batsman and one of the top batsmen in the world. Through dedication and hard work, he overcame a challenging start to his international career to emerge as a once-in-a-generation talent, carrying on the legacy of batting greats like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. The future is bright for Pakistan with Babar Azam at the helm.

Babar Azam’s ODI and T20 Success

Babar Azam has dominated one-day internationals and T20s for Pakistan. His success in the shorter formats has earned him a reputation as Pakistan’s best batsman.

ODI Dominance

In ODIs, Babar Azam averages an impressive 59.20 after 82 matches. He scores at a quick strike rate of 93.21, showing he can pile on runs fast. Babar has notched up 17 ODI centuries already, the most for Pakistan at his age. He broke Virat Kohli’s record for the fastest to reach 1,000 ODI runs as captain, doing it in just 19 innings.

Babar’s ability to score big is highlighted by the fact that he has four 150+ scores, the most for any Pakistani batsman. He has dominated against all opponents, with a highest score of 158* against the West Indies in 2021 and an average of 67.11 versus South Africa. Babar’s consistency and run-scoring feats have led many to call him the ‘Kohli of Pakistan’.

T20 Superstar

In T20s, Babar averages 43.66 with a strike rate of 127.93, proving he is adept in the shortest format as well. He has notched up 2 T20I centuries, tied for most by a Pakistani. Babar was ranked the No. 1 T20I batsman for 25 months straight, the second longest streak ever.

Babar’s success has translated in franchise cricket too. He averages 40.33 in the Pakistan Super League and has scored over 1,800 runs total, cementing his status as one of the best T20 batsmen today. With age on his side, Babar Azam seems poised to achieve even more in limited overs cricket for Pakistan over the next decade. His dominance with the bat has already inspired a generation of young cricketers in Pakistan.

Babar Azam Establishes Himself as Pakistan’s Premier Batsman

Babar Azam was always a talented cricketer, but in recent years he has established himself as Pakistan’s premier batsman. His rise has been remarkable and his stats prove he deserves to be considered one of the best batsmen in the world today.

After making his ODI debut in 2015, Babar started scoring runs and hasn’t stopped. He scored his first ODI century in just his fourth match and was named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year in 2017. The following year, he was named Pakistan’s ODI Player of the Year after averaging over 50 with the bat.

Babar continued improving and started posting big scores more consistently. In 2019, he became the fastest batsman to reach 1,000 runs in ODIs, needing only 21 innings to reach the milestone. Later that year, he scored a century in Pakistan’s famous World Cup win over South Africa. Babar ended the year as the number one ranked ODI batsman in the ICC rankings.

The talented right-hander also excels in T20Is, where he has a strike rate over 130. In 2021, Babar scored four consecutive T20I half-centuries, a feat no other batsman has achieved. His dominance in the shortest format led him to become the ICC T20I Player of the Year for 2021.

At just 26 years of age, Babar Azam has already established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world across all formats. His elegant strokeplay, consistency and ability to score runs in all conditions have drawn comparisons with Indian great Virat Kohli. If Babar continues on this trajectory, he may well end up being considered Pakistan's greatest ever batsman. The future certainly looks bright for Pakistan's premier batsman.

What's Next for Pakistan's Star Batsman?

Babar Azam has already achieved so much in his short cricket career, but at just 26 years old, his best days are still ahead of him. As Pakistan's star batsman and captain of the T20 and ODI squads, Babar has huge opportunities and expectations on his shoulders.

What's next for Babar? For starters, cementing his status as one of the modern greats of Pakistan cricket. To do so, he'll need to continue his consistent run-scoring and help lead Pakistan to more victories and possibly even ICC trophies. Babar already has a stellar record in ODIs and T20s, though he has yet to replicate that success in Test matches. Improving his Test average and notching a few memorable innings could elevate him to legendary status.

Babar should also aim to gain more experience captaining Pakistan, a role which he took on at a young age. Captaining Pakistan is an immense honor but also a heavy burden. The more matches Babar captains, the more comfortable and adept he will get at leadership. His teammates already look up to him, and strong captaincy could turn Pakistan into a force to be reckoned with.

Off the field, Babar has the opportunity to become an even bigger role model and ambassador for cricket in Pakistan. By embracing his platform and promoting things like kids' cricket programs, Babar can inspire future generations of Pakistani cricketers. His boyish charm and charisma also make him an ideal candidate for commercial sponsorships and partnerships.

The future is bright for Pakistan's star batsman. With hard work and dedication, Babar Azam is poised to become an all-time great and lead Pakistan cricket to new heights. His best years may still be ahead of him, but his legacy is already in the making. The sky is the limit for the talented young cricketer from Lahore.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Through dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to constant improvement, Babar Azam transformed himself into Pakistan's premier batsman and one of the best in the world. While his natural talent gave him a head start, Babar didn't rest on his abilities. He honed his technique, expanded his range of shots, and developed an appetite for big scores. Still only 25, his best years are ahead of him. The sky is the limit for this humble star in the making. Babar's journey serves as an inspiration and a reminder that skill and passion, when combined with perseverance, can help anyone achieve their dreams. The next time you feel like giving up in the face of obstacles or self-doubt, think of Babar and keep putting in the effort. You never know how far it may take you.