Babar Azam: Pakistan's Most Complete Modern Batsman
Babar Azam reached number one in all three ICC batting rankings simultaneously — the first Pakistan batsman to do so. His elegant strokeplay and consistency across formats make him one of cricket's most important players.
Triple-Format Number One
Mohammad Babar Azam was born in Lahore on 15 October 1994. He became the first Pakistan batsman to be simultaneously ranked number one in all three ICC batting rankings — Test, ODI and T20I — in 2022. This achievement placed him in an elite company of batsmen who have dominated across all three formats and drew comparisons with Virat Kohli, the only other modern batsman to achieve this distinction in his career.
Batting Style and Technique
Babar Azam's batting is founded on classical technique and exceptional timing. Unlike many modern batsmen who power the ball with strength, Babar places the ball with precision — his cover drive is one of cricket's most technically correct and beautiful shots. He plays very straight, getting into strong side-on positions and driving through the line. He adapted his game to the T20 format without sacrificing his fundamentals, becoming equally effective as an aggressor in the shortest format and as a constructor of large innings in Tests.
2021 T20 World Cup — Unbeaten Chase Against India
Babar Azam's innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan in the 2021 T20 World Cup against India is the most celebrated of his international career. Pakistan were chasing 151 — and with Shaheen Afridi having dismissed India's top order cheaply, Babar and Rizwan opened and batted through the entire chase, never being separated. Babar scored 68* and Rizwan 79* as Pakistan won by 10 wickets — their first World Cup victory over India in any format.
ODI Record and Status
Babar averages above 55 in ODIs — the fourth-highest ODI average in history among batsmen who have played 50+ matches. He has scored multiple ODI centuries against top teams and is the fulcrum of Pakistan's batting in all three formats. He served as Pakistan's captain across all formats before a leadership restructure in 2023; he was later reappointed. His captaincy record, while containing some notable World Cup defeats, also includes the famous 2021 T20 World Cup performance against India.
Frequently asked questions
Is Babar Azam number one in all ICC rankings?
Babar Azam held the number one ICC batting ranking in Tests, ODIs and T20Is simultaneously in 2022 — the first Pakistan batsman and only the second player (after Virat Kohli) to achieve this in the modern era. He has consistently ranked in the top three across all formats. As of 2026, he remains one of the top-ranked batsmen in both Test and ODI cricket.
What was Babar Azam's most famous innings?
Babar Azam's unbeaten 68 alongside Mohammad Rizwan (79*) in Pakistan's 10-wicket win over India at the 2021 T20 World Cup is his most celebrated innings. Pakistan chased 151 without losing a wicket — Babar and Rizwan put on 152* together. It was Pakistan's first World Cup victory over India in any format and ended a 29-year losing streak in World Cup cricket against India.