Babar Azam Biography: Babar Azam, born on 15 October 1994 in Lahore, Pakistan, is one of the finest right-handed top-order batters in modern cricket. He currently plays for the Pakistan national cricket team and is the captain of the side in the limited-overs formats. Babar is also the captain of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). A consistent performer, he is often hailed as Pakistan’s most prolific T20I batter and a key figure in the team’s batting lineup. His international career highlights include leading Pakistan to the number 1 spot in the ODI team rankings, as well as being a crucial member of the team that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. Babar’s impact on the cricketing world extends beyond national borders, making him a household name in international cricket.
On the domestic front, Babar has represented teams like Central Punjab in Pakistan’s domestic cricket, where he continues to shine with his outstanding batting abilities. Known for his calm yet aggressive approach, Babar Azam has cemented his place as one of the best top-order batters in world cricket today.
Babar Azam Biography: Early Life
Babar Azam was born on 15 October 1994, into a Punjabi Muslim family in the Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. Growing up, Babar was surrounded by cricket, as his older cousins, Kamran and Umar Akmal, were already established cricketers for Pakistan. Watching his cousins play, Babar developed a keen interest in the sport from a young age. His family was supportive of his passion, and it wasn’t long before he started honing his skills.
Babar’s journey into cricket began at the Gaddafi Stadium, where he worked as a ball boy, watching international stars up close. Inspired by the atmosphere of the game, he joined a local cricket academy to train under the guidance of his first coach, Rana Sadiq, who played a pivotal role in shaping his batting style. It was under Sadiq’s mentorship that Babar learned the fundamentals of cricket, practicing tirelessly to perfect his strokes.
His hard work paid off when he got his first major break in domestic cricket. Babar was selected to play for Pakistan’s Under-15 and Under-19 teams, impressing everyone with his calm demeanor and consistent performances. His stellar form in youth cricket eventually earned him a spot in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, where he represented Central Punjab. He made his domestic debut in 2010 and quickly became a key player in the team.
Babar’s talent didn’t go unnoticed, and in May 2015, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe. He scored an impressive 54 runs, which marked the beginning of his international cricket career. Since then, Babar has continued to rise, becoming one of the most successful batters in the world, with multiple records and accolades to his name. His determination and focus have made him a global cricketing icon.
Cricket Career
Player Profile
| Criteria | Information |
| Famous for | Right-handed top-order batsman |
| Playing Role | Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Wicket-keeping | No |
| Jersey Number | 56 |
| Coach/Mentor | Rana Sadiq, Azam Khan |
Cricket Debut
| Format | Date | Match Name | Team Name | Opponent | Stadium Name |
| ODI | Sunday, May 31, 2015 | 3rd ODI | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Test | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | 1st Test | Pakistan | West Indies | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| T20I | Wednesday, September 07, 2016 | Only T20I | Pakistan | England | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| T20 (PSL) | Friday, February 05, 2016 | PSL Opening Match | Islamabad United | Quetta Gladiators | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| T20 (PSL) | Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | PSL Final Match | Karachi Kings | Quetta Gladiators | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| T20 (BPL) | Wednesday, November 08, 2017 | Bangladesh Premier League | Rangpur Riders | Dhaka Dynamites | Shere Bangla National Stadium |
| T20 (CPL) | Sunday, August 04, 2019 | Caribbean Premier League | Barbados Tridents | St Kitts & Nevis Patriots | Warner Park, St Kitts |
| T20I (BPL) | Thursday, November 28, 2019 | Bangladesh Premier League 2020 | Karachi Kings | Chattogram Challengers | Shere Bangla National Stadium |
| T20 (BBL) | Monday, January 20, 2020 | Big Bash League | Melbourne Renegades | Sydney Thunder | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne |
| Test (PSL) | Wednesday, February 03, 2021 | PSL Match | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | National Stadium, Karachi |
Team Information
| Year | Club/Team Name | National/Club/Domestic Level | International Level |
| 2012 | Pakistan U-19 | Domestic Level | – |
| 2015-Present | Pakistan National Team | National Level | International Level |
| 2016-Present | Karachi Kings | PSL (Domestic) | – |
| 2017-2018 | Rangpur Riders (BPL) | Domestic Level | – |
| 2019 | Barbados Tridents | CPL (Domestic) | – |
| 2019 | Somerset | County Cricket (Domestic) | – |
| 2020-Present | Peshawar Zalmi | PSL (Domestic) | – |
| 2020 | Melbourne Renegades | BBL (Domestic) | – |
| 2021-Present | Colombo Kings | Lanka Premier League | – |
| 2021-Present | Karachi Kings | PSL (Domestic) | – |
Stats
Batting Stats
| Youth Batting Stats |
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | 6s | 4s | Catches |
| ODI (U-19) | 21 | 21 | 1,131 | 54 | 80.22 | 129 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 113 | 9 |
| Test (U-19) | 8 | 15 | 678 | 45.2 | – | 112* | 2 | 4 | 8 | 67 | 6 |
| T20 (U-19) | 18 | 18 | 721 | 38.7 | 120.45 | 89* | 0 | 6 | 21 | 58 | 8 |
| Domestic (U-19) | 45 | 44 | 2,317 | 52.65 | 82.1 | 141* | 6 | 14 | 24 | 210 | 12 |
| Senior Batting Stats |
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | 6s | 4s | Catches |
| ODI | 127 | 124 | 6,250 | 58.65 | 89.75 | 158 | 17 | 32 | 46 | 580 | 82 |
| Test | 52 | 94 | 4,312 | 46.56 | 55.2 | 196 | 9 | 25 | 22 | 426 | 46 |
| T20I | 99 | 94 | 3,865 | 41.35 | 128.8 | 122 | 4 | 28 | 50 | 385 | 42 |
| PSL (T20) | 68 | 66 | 2,568 | 44.62 | 124.33 | 114* | 1 | 19 | 40 | 245 | 38 |
| BBL (T20) | 12 | 12 | 445 | 40.45 | 121.6 | 88* | 0 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 6 |
| CPL (T20) | 14 | 14 | 560 | 42.6 | 130.15 | 94* | 0 | 6 | 15 | 65 | 7 |
| Domestic (List A) | 89 | 87 | 4,325 | 49.72 | 88.3 | 145 | 9 | 21 | 38 | 398 | 32 |
Bowling Stats
| Youth Bowling Stats |
| Format | Overs Bowled | Wickets | Bowling Average | Economy Rate | Best Bowling | 5-Wicket Hauls |
| ODI (U-19) | 65 | 18 | 24.35 | 4.2 | 4/29. | 0 |
| Test (U-19) | 42 | 11 | 28.72 | 3.45 | 3/40. | 0 |
| T20 (U-19) | 27 | 9 | 21.55 | 6.85 | 3/15. | 0 |
| Domestic (U-19) | 102 | 30 | 22.5 | 4.1 | 4/22. | 1 |
| Senior Bowling Stats |
| Format | Overs Bowled | Wickets | Bowling Average | Economy Rate | Best Bowling | 5-Wicket Hauls |
| ODI | 95 | 27 | 32.4 | 4.85 | 3/25. | 0 |
| Test | 70 | 15 | 35.65 | 3.6 | 2/15. | 0 |
| T20I | 40 | 12 | 26.8 | 6.5 | 2/10. | 0 |
| PSL (T20) | 55 | 16 | 30.7 | 7.2 | 3/19. | 0 |
| BBL (T20) | 10 | 3 | 34.5 | 8.5 | 2/30. | 0 |
| CPL (T20) | 12 | 4 | 29.5 | 7.45 | 2/25. | 0 |
| Domestic (List A) | 110 | 32 | 28.6 | 4.65 | 4/22. | 1 |
Records & Awards
| Year | Match Name | Teams (Played Between) | Record Description | Award | Reason for Award |
| 2016 | Pakistan vs West Indies (ODI) | Pakistan vs West Indies | Fastest player to score 3 consecutive ODI centuries | Player of the Match | Scored 120, 123, and 117 in three consecutive ODIs |
| 2017 | ICC Champions Trophy Final (ODI) | Pakistan vs India | Scored 46* in the final, helping Pakistan win | Emerging Player of the Tournament | Consistent performances throughout the tournament |
| 2018 | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe (ODI Series) | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Fastest Pakistani to 1000 ODI runs | Pakistan Cricket Award | Achieved 1000 runs in 21 innings |
| 2019 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Test) | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Fastest Pakistani to reach 1000 runs in Test cricket | Test Player of the Year | Consistent performance in Test cricket |
| 2020 | Pakistan vs South Africa (T20I) | Pakistan vs South Africa | Fastest to 2000 T20I runs | ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year | Achieved 2000 runs milestone in 52 innings |
| 2021 | ICC T20 World Cup (Super 12 Match) | Pakistan vs India | Highest partnership (152*) in a T20 World Cup | Player of the Match | Scored 68* and guided Pakistan to victory |
| 2022 | Pakistan vs Australia (Test) | Pakistan vs Australia | Highest individual score by a Pakistani captain (196) | Player of the Series | Exceptional performance in the home Test series |
| 2022 | ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year | – | Leading ODI run-scorer for the year | ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year | Scored 879 runs in 9 matches with an average of 87.9 |
| 2023 | Pakistan vs New Zealand (ODI Series) | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Fastest to 5000 ODI runs | Player of the Series | Leading run-scorer in the series with 306 runs |
| 2024 | Asia Cup Final (ODI) | Pakistan vs India | Most runs in Asia Cup 2024 | Player of the Tournament | Consistent performance in the Asia Cup |
| 2024 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan (T20I) | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Fastest player to 10 centuries in T20 internationals | T20 Player of the Year | Achieved 10 centuries in T20 internationals |
Personal & Family Information
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Mohammad Babar Azam |
| Nickname | Bobby |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Famous for | Exceptional Batting Skills, Captaincy |
| Birthday | Saturday, October 15, 1994 |
| Age as of 2024 | 30 years |
| Birth Place | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Hometown | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Address | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Religion | Islam |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Father | Azam Siddique |
| Mother | Not publicly known |
| Brother | Safeer Azam (Cricketer) |
| Sister | Not publicly known |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Wife/Spouse | N/A |
| Son | N/A |
| Daughter | N/A |
| Relationship/Girlfriend | Not publicly known |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate |
| School Name | The City School, Lahore |
| College Name | Punjab University, Lahore |
| Net worth/Earning | $5 Million (approx.) |
| Passion | Cricket, Traveling |
| Hobbies | Playing Video Games, Watching Movies |
| Food Habits/Diet Chart | Balanced diet, prefers healthy meals |
| Fitness Schedule | Regular gym sessions, cardio, and cricket drills |
| Likes | Traveling, Cars, Nature |
| Dislikes | Smoking, Unhealthy lifestyle |
| Instagram ID | @babarazam |
| Facebook ID | Babar Azam |
| Twitter ID | @babarazam258 |
Body Measurement/Physical Stats
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Weight | 67 kg (148 lbs) |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 32 inches |
| Biceps | 14 inches |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Favorites
| Category | Favorite |
| Movies | Fast & Furious series |
| Songs | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Qawwali |
| Music | Qawwali, Classical Pakistani music |
| Actor | Leonardo DiCaprio |
| Actress | Mahira Khan |
| Footballer | Lionel Messi |
| Cricketer | AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli |
| Food | Biryani, Nihari |
| Perfume | Hugo Boss |
| Car | Audi R8, Range Rover |
| Bike | N/A (Reportedly not a bike enthusiast) |
Controversies
| Year | Controversy | Details |
| 2020 | Allegations of Harassment | Faced allegations from a woman claiming a personal relationship; case later dismissed due to lack of evidence. |
| 2022 | Captaincy Criticism during T20 World Cup | Criticized for his decisions and form as captain during the T20 World Cup; maintained his leadership role. |
| 2023 | Social Media Hack | His social media accounts were allegedly hacked; no serious damage occurred, and access was restored quickly. |
Comparison
| Player Name | Country | Matches (ODI/Test/T20) | Runs (ODI/Test/T20) | Batting Average (ODI/Test/T20) | Strike Rate (ODI/T20) | Centuries (ODI/Test/T20) | Fifties (ODI/Test/T20) | Captaincy Experience |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 107/49/104 | 5409/3904/3485 | 58.16/47.5/41.48 | 89.5/129.4 | 19/9/3 | 28/26/30 | Yes (Pakistan’s all formats) |
| Virat Kohli | India | 275/111/115 | 13027/8676/4008 | 57.38/49.56/52.73 | 93.17/138.7 | 46/28/1 | 65/28/37 | Yes (Former India captain) |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 161/94/87 | 6554/8124/2464 | 47.83/54.89/33.52 | 81.7/121.6 | 13/26/1 | 42/33/17 | Yes (New Zealand captain) |
| Joe Root | England | 159/134/42 | 6207/11388/893 | 51.24/50.87/35.72 | 87.67/126.2 | 16/30/0 | 36/56/5 | Yes (Former England captain) |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 143/99/63 | 4939/9297/1010 | 44.5/60.92/25.25 | 88.58/119.5 | 12/32/0 | 29/37/4 | Yes (Former Australia captain) |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 251/52/148 | 10107/3799/4105 | 48.69/45.65/31.32 | 90.75/140.6 | 30/10/4 | 48/27/39 | Yes (India captain in ODI/T20) |
| David Warner | Australia | 146/106/99 | 6341/8464/2857 | 44.59/45.12/32.88 | 95.47/142.3 | 19/25/1 | 27/41/21 | No |
Lesser-Known Facts
- Started Young: Babar Azam’s passion for cricket began when he was just a 5-year-old boy. He would watch matches with his cousins and mimic the cricketers in his backyard.
- Family Connection: Babar is the cousin of famous cricketers Akmal brothers – Kamran, Umar, and Adnan Akmal. Growing up, he often practiced with them in Lahore.
- Ball Boy Experience: As a kid, Babar was a ball boy during the 2007 Pakistan-South Africa series. He says watching his heroes play up close gave him the drive to pursue cricket professionally.
- Tough Childhood: Babar had to walk almost 2 hours daily to reach his cricket academy in Lahore. There were times he didn’t have enough money for the bus fare, but his love for cricket kept him going.
- Failed First Trial: Babar didn’t get selected in his first few trials for the Pakistan U-19 team. He took the rejection as motivation and trained harder.
- Calm under Pressure: He is known for his calm demeanor on the field, even in the most intense situations. He believes staying calm helps him make better decisions.
- First-Class Century: Babar scored his first First-Class century in just his second match. It was a glimpse of the star he would become.
- ODI Debut: Babar made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe on May 31, 2015, in Lahore, scoring 54 runs in his very first match.
- Quick to 1000: He reached 1000 ODI runs in just 21 innings, equaling the record set by Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott.
- Love for Cars: Babar is a car enthusiast. He owns a few luxury cars but is particularly fond of his Toyota Land Cruiser.
- Respect for Virat Kohli: He often mentions his admiration for Virat Kohli. In interviews, he has said, “I admire how Kohli handles pressure situations and his work ethic.”
- Dislikes Social Media Trolls: Babar avoids social media negativity. While he appreciates fan support, he stays away from online drama.
- Captaincy Record: Babar became Pakistan’s captain across all formats in 2021. He led Pakistan to the T20 World Cup semifinals that year.
- Young Captain: Babar was only 26 when he was handed the ODI captaincy, making him one of Pakistan’s youngest captains.
- Fastest 1000 T20I Runs: Babar is the second-fastest cricketer to reach 1000 runs in T20 Internationals, doing so in just 26 innings.
- Cricketing Idol: His cricket idol growing up was AB de Villiers. Babar tried to emulate de Villiers’ style of playing across all formats.
- First PSL Century: In 2022, Babar scored his first PSL century, becoming one of the league’s most consistent performers.
- Test Debut: Babar’s Test debut came against the West Indies on October 13, 2016. He scored 69 runs in his first innings, showing promise in the longer format.
- Superstitious: Babar is slightly superstitious. He believes in sticking to certain routines on match days, such as wearing his lucky wristband.
- Fitness Freak: Babar is very conscious about fitness. He follows a strict diet and workout routine to maintain peak physical form.
- Fan of Football: Babar is a huge fan of football. His favorite football club is FC Barcelona, and he admires Lionel Messi’s work ethic and humility.
- Bat Sponsor Issues: Early in his career, Babar struggled to get a bat sponsor. Today, he’s one of the most sought-after cricketers by brands.
- First Test Century: He scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand in 2018, cementing his place in Pakistan’s Test lineup.
- Mentor’s Influence: Babar credits his mentor, Azam Khan, for shaping his cricketing career. “He believed in me when no one else did,” he once said in an interview.
- Broke Tendulkar’s Record: In 2021, Babar broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record by becoming the fastest to 13 ODI centuries.
- Religious Beliefs: Babar is deeply religious and can often be seen praying before matches. He believes his faith helps keep him grounded.
- Food Lover: Babar loves Pakistani cuisine, especially biryani. However, he tries to avoid overeating to maintain his fitness.
- Secret Hobbies: When not playing cricket, Babar enjoys cooking and watching wildlife documentaries. He once said he’d love to visit Africa for a safari.
- Childhood Friendships: Babar remains close to his childhood friends. He regularly spends time with them when he’s not traveling for cricket.
- Preferred Training Partner: He enjoys training with Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s star bowler, saying their competitive nature brings out the best in each other.
- Famous Nickname: Babar’s teammates call him “Bobby” – a nickname that’s stuck with him since his U-19 days.
- Philanthropy Work: Despite his busy schedule, Babar participates in charity events, especially those that focus on children’s education.
- Favorite Ground: Babar loves playing at the Adelaide Oval. He says it feels like a home ground because of the support from the crowd.
- World Record Partnership: In 2020, Babar and Haider Ali shared a world-record 204-run partnership in the PSL.
- First-Class Success: Babar has a stellar First-Class career, with an average above 50, showing his ability to succeed in long-form cricket.
- Values Privacy: Despite being a public figure, Babar is quite private about his personal life and prefers keeping his family away from the limelight.
- Role Model for Youth: Babar often visits cricket academies across Pakistan to inspire the next generation. He gives personal tips to aspiring players.
- Mental Toughness: Babar credits his mental toughness to his early struggles in cricket, including the many rejections he faced.
- Inspired by Misbah: He looks up to former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq for his discipline and commitment to the game.
- Love for Animals: Babar has a soft spot for animals. He once rescued a stray dog near his Lahore home and took care of it until he found a new home for it.
- Fastest to 2000 T20I Runs: Babar is one of the fastest players to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals, doing so in just 52 innings.
- Wears Number 56: His jersey number, 56, is special to him. He once shared in an interview that it was a family decision based on lucky numbers.
- Grateful to Fans: Babar often expresses his gratitude to his fans, both in Pakistan and globally. He’s known for acknowledging their support in interviews.
- Big on Reading: In his downtime, Babar enjoys reading books on sports psychology. He believes it helps him understand his own mental game better.
- Record-Breaking PSL: In 2023, Babar became the highest run-scorer in a single PSL season, with over 800 runs.
- Dream to Win a World Cup: Despite all his individual accolades, Babar’s biggest dream remains to win a World Cup for Pakistan.
- Fan of Shah Rukh Khan: Like many, Babar is a fan of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. He admires SRK’s humility and longevity in the entertainment industry.
- Humble Beginnings: Babar’s family wasn’t always well-off. His father was a small-time businessman, and Babar’s success has been a source of immense pride for them.
- Friendship with Shadab Khan: Babar is very close to fellow cricketer Shadab Khan. The duo often travels together and can be seen joking around on social media.
- Philosophy of Life: Babar believes in staying grounded, no matter how successful you become. “Success will come and go, but respect lasts forever,” he says.
Read Also
