Babar Azam: Pakistan's Most Complete Modern Batter
Babar Azam simultaneously held ICC No.1 rankings in all three formats — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — in 2022. He averages 45+ in Tests and 57+ in ODIs, and his cover drive is considered the most technically perfect stroke in contemporary cricket.
The Triple-Format No.1
Babar Azam (born 1994, Lahore) became the first batter to simultaneously hold ICC No.1 rankings in all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20I — in August 2022. This combination had previously been considered almost impossible because the different demands of each format favour different batting styles. Babar's achievement reflected both his technical excellence (which suits Tests) and his strike rate management (which suits T20s), as well as his consistency across 5+ years of elite performance.
The Cover Drive: Technical Perfection
Cricket analysts consistently cite Babar's cover drive as the finest in the current game — the closest living equivalent to Martin Crowe, Mohammad Azharuddin, or (in a different era) Frank Worrell. His front foot lands beside the ball, his head is perfectly positioned over the knee, his elbow is high, and his follow-through is full. The shot is played with minimal risk and maximum control. Against pace and spin alike, when the width is offered, the cover drive is his response — and it reaches the boundary more often than not.
ODI Record: 57+ Average
Babar's ODI average of 57+ across 110+ ODI matches is the third highest in ODI history among batters with 50+ innings (behind Kohli at 58 and de Villiers at 53). His ODI centuries include runs against India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand — meaning his average is not padded against weak opponents. His consistent performance in bilateral ODI series made Pakistan's batting dependent on his getting set, which was also Pakistan cricket's vulnerability.
Pakistan Captaincy and Resignation
Babar captained Pakistan in all three formats from 2021. He resigned as captain in October 2023 following Pakistan's group-stage exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup — a tournament where he averaged under 35 in a batting unit that struggled with consistency. He returned as T20I captain in 2024 for the T20 World Cup. His captaincy record was mixed: he managed a talented but volatile squad without the strong backup batting of the leading teams.
Career Numbers
Tests: 60+ | Runs: 4,200+ | Average: 45.00+. ODIs: 115+ | Runs: 5,800+ | Average: 57.00+. T20Is: 110+ | Runs: 3,600+ | Average: 43.00+. Note: career is ongoing.