Babar Azam Explained: Pakistan's Modern Cricket Superstar
Who Babar Azam is — Pakistan's finest modern batter, simultaneous number-one ICC rankings across all three formats in 2022, his elegant off-side batting style, and his significance as Pakistan's cricket face for a generation.
Babar Azam (born 1994 in Lahore, Pakistan) is Pakistan's best batter of the modern era — a right-handed top-order batter of exceptional elegance who has been ranked number one in multiple ICC formats simultaneously. In December 2022, Babar became the third player in cricket history (after Sir Vivian Richards and Ricky Ponting) to be ranked number one in all three white-ball formats simultaneously. His Test average (approximately 47+), ODI average (approximately 57+), and T20I batting all place him among the world's top five batters across formats in the 2020s.
Batting Style
Babar's batting style is characterised by exceptional elegance — his cover drive is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing shots in modern cricket. He plays late, close to the body, and is particularly dominant through the off side — square cuts, cover drives, and straight drives. His footwork against pace is clean (he gets front foot forward elegantly); against spin he is patient and technically correct. Cricket analysts regularly compare his style and shot-making to Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar — though his numbers have not yet reached Tendulkar's historic levels, the quality of stroke play draws consistent comparisons.
Triple Number-One Rankings
Babar's simultaneous ICC number-one ranking across ODI batting, T20I batting, and Test batting in late 2022 was an extraordinary statistical achievement — only two other players in cricket history had achieved this combination: Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting. The rankings reflect sustained excellence across all three formats simultaneously, which requires maintaining form, fitness, and technical quality in the different challenges each format presents. Babar's achievement also reflected Pakistan's consistent scheduling across formats in 2022.
Pakistan's Cricket Commercial Value
Babar Azam is Pakistan cricket's most commercially valuable player — the face of Pakistan cricket for a generation in the same way Imran Khan was in the 1970s–80s and Wasim Akram/Inzamam ul-Haq in the 1990s–2000s. His merchandise sales, endorsement deals, and social media following (50 million+ on Instagram) reflect his status as Pakistan sport's biggest star. The PSL (Pakistan Super League) has benefited from having Babar as its most recognisable player; he has also attracted IPL interest (though Pakistan-India political restrictions have prevented him from playing in the IPL).
Frequently asked questions
What is Babar Azam's batting average?
Approximately 47+ in Tests and 57+ in ODIs — placing him among the world's top five batters across formats in the 2020s. His T20I batting average (approximately 43+) is exceptional for the format. He has held simultaneous ICC number-one batting rankings across all three formats (December 2022), one of only three players in history to achieve this alongside Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting.
Why is Babar Azam called the best in modern cricket?
His exceptional batting across all three formats, his aesthetic elegance (cover drive considered among the best in world cricket), his consistent run-scoring against top opposition, and his simultaneous number-one ICC rankings in all formats. He is Pakistan's most commercially visible and sports-culturally significant cricket figure since Imran Khan, with 50 million+ social media followers.
Has Babar Azam played in the IPL?
No — Pakistan-India political restrictions prevent Pakistani players from participating in the IPL. This is a significant commercial loss for Babar given his status as one of world cricket's best batters; IPL salaries would place him among the tournament's highest earners. He has played PSL and other franchise competitions including the Big Bash League and The Hundred.