Early Life and Career
Babar Azam was born in Lahore on 15 October 1994. He is the cousin of Akmal (Kamran, Umar and Adnan) brothers and is often denoted as a talented opening batsman.
Azam was the leading run-scorer in the tri-series that included Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Under-19s in 2009. He made his first-class debut for Lahore in the 2012–13 season. He made his international debut for Pakistan in a One Day International (ODI) match against England in July 2015.
International Career
Azam quickly established himself as a key player for Pakistan. He made his Test debut in May 2016 and his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut in September 2016.
In 2016, Azam scored three consecutive ODI centuries against the West Indies in the UAE. He also scored a 90 in his third Test, in Hamilton.
Azam was the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He scored three fifties in the tournament, including a half-century in the final against India.
In 2018, Azam was named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year. He scored 1,556 runs in 19 ODIs at an average of 59.44.
In 2019, Azam was named the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year. He scored 978 runs in 28 T20Is at an average of 43.04.
In 2020, Azam was named the ICC Test Player of the Year. He scored 1,475 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 59.00.
Captaincy
Azam was appointed captain of the Pakistan national cricket team in all three formats in 2020. He has led Pakistan to victory in a number of series, including series wins against South Africa, New Zealand and England.
Playing Style
Azam is a right-hand batsman who is known for his elegant and technically correct technique. He is also a very good fielder.
Achievements
- Fastest batsman to score 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 ODI centuries
- ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year (2018)
- ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year (2019)
- ICC Test Player of the Year (2020)
Impact
Azam is one of the most popular cricketers in Pakistan. He is also a role model for young cricketers around the world.
Conclusion
Babar Azam is a world-class cricketer who is destined to achieve great things. He is a role model for young cricketers around the world and is sure to continue to be a key player for Pakistan for many years to come.
