Babar Azam: Pakistan's Modern Batting Great Across All Formats
Babar Azam is Pakistan's premier batter of the 2020s, consistently ranked among the world's top three batters in all three international formats simultaneously — a rare achievement in modern cricket.
Babar Azam is Pakistan's finest batter of the modern era and one of the most technically accomplished batters in world cricket. Born in Lahore in 1994, Babar made his international debut in 2015 and rapidly established himself as Pakistan's most consistent run-scorer across all three formats. He became the first Pakistan batter to be simultaneously ranked in the ICC top five in Tests, ODIs and T20Is — a testament to his consistency across all formats. His batting combines classical technique with modern aggression, characterised by a high backlift, excellent footwork and a wide range of shots through all areas of the field.
Records and Achievements
By 2024, Babar had scored over 10,000 ODI runs — becoming the fastest batter to reach the milestone — and over 4,000 T20I runs. In Tests he averaged above 45 with multiple centuries. He held the number-one ICC ranking in ODIs for an extended period from 2021 to 2023 and was regularly in the top three in both other formats. He led Pakistan as captain in Tests, ODIs and T20Is from 2019 to 2023, though his captaincy record in ICC tournaments was mixed — Pakistan did not win an ICC event under his leadership.
Comparisons and Style
Babar Azam has been compared to Virat Kohli by analysts and commentators for his elegance and consistency — particularly his cover-drive, which many regard as one of the finest in modern cricket. His ability to bat long innings under pressure in Tests and accelerate smartly in ODIs and T20Is makes him genuinely threatening across all formats. His performances in England in 2021 — including a century at Lord's — confirmed his ability to succeed in the toughest overseas conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Babar Azam's international batting record?
As of 2024, Babar has scored over 10,000 ODI runs, 4,000+ T20I runs and 4,000+ Test runs. He averaged above 45 in Tests and above 55 in ODIs at his peak, making him one of Pakistan's greatest batting contributors across all formats.
Has Babar Azam won any ICC titles as captain?
No. Pakistan did not win an ICC tournament with Babar as captain. They reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2021 and 2022 and the Champions Trophy final in 2025, but did not win an ICC event during his captaincy period.
How does Babar Azam compare to Virat Kohli?
Both are elegant, prolific run-scorers dominant in their eras. Kohli has more Test experience and has scored more Test centuries. Babar is considered more technically correct and has a wider range of shots. Both score heavily across formats, though Kohli's peak Test average (above 50) is marginally higher than Babar's sustained peak.