Cricket, often regarded as a religion in certain parts of the world, has produced numerous legends over the years. Among them is the young and talented Babar Azam, a Pakistani cricketer whose stellar performances have garnered attention and praise from fans and experts alike. With an exceptional batting technique and a calm demeanor, Babar Azam has emerged as one of the brightest stars in modern-day cricket. Let’s delve into his background, age, and career to understand what makes him so special. Babar Azam Profile-Age and Career
Background:
Babar Azam was born on October 15, 1994, in Lahore, Pakistan. He hails from a family deeply connected to cricket, with his uncle, Akram Azam, being a former first-class cricketer. From a young age, Babar showed a keen interest in the sport and started playing street cricket with his friends and family. Recognizing his potential, Babar’s family encouraged him to pursue his passion and hone his skills.
Age:
As of the current date, August 5, 2023, Babar Azam is 28 years old. At this stage of his career, he is considered to be in the prime of his cricketing journey.
Career:
Babar Azam’s journey to becoming one of Pakistan’s finest batsmen has been nothing short of extraordinary. He made his mark at the junior level, representing Pakistan in the Under-15 and Under-19 teams. His performances during the age-group tournaments caught the attention of selectors, and he was soon drafted into domestic cricket.
He made his first-class debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in 2010 and continued to impress with his consistent run-scoring ability. His List-A and T20 debuts followed in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
In 2015, Babar Azam made his international debut in a T20 match against England. He made an immediate impact, displaying his elegance and composure at the crease. However, it was in the ODI format that he truly came into his own. Babar’s first ODI century came in 2016 against the West Indies, and since then, he has been consistently churning out runs for Pakistan.
His Test debut followed in 2016, and although he initially took some time to settle into the longest format, his talent, and adaptability shone through, making him an indispensable part of the team.
Babar Azam: Career Statistics, Matches, and Records
Babar Azam, the prodigious Pakistani cricketer, has emerged as one of the most talented and consistent batsmen in modern-day cricket. Let’s take a look at his career statistics, matches, and records in the following table:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest Score | Centuries | Half-Centuries | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 31 | 54 | 2362 | 47.24 | 143 | 7 | 14 | 56.34 |
| ODI | 88 | 88 | 4282 | 55.12 | 125* | 17 | 17 | 88.78 |
| T20I | 59 | 58 | 1768 | 49.11 | 122* | 1 | 16 | 130.73 |
Test Matches:
In Test cricket, Babar Azam has played 31 matches, accumulating an impressive 2362 runs at an average of 47.24. His highest score of 143 came against Bangladesh. Babar has shown his mettle with seven centuries and 14 half-centuries, proving to be a crucial asset in Pakistan’s Test batting lineup.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs):
In the ODI format, Babar Azam has represented Pakistan in 88 matches, amassing a staggering 4282 runs at an exceptional average of 55.12. His highest score of 125* came against the West Indies. Babar’s ability to convert starts into big scores is evident through his 17-centuries and 17 half-centuries in ODIs.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):
In the shortest format of the game, Babar Azam has featured in 59 matches, accumulating 1768 runs at a brilliant average of 49.11. His highest score of 122* came against South Africa. Though he has scored only one T20I century, he has consistently contributed with 16 half-centuries at an impressive strike rate of 130.73.
Records and Achievements:
Babar Azam’s incredible performances have earned him several records and accolades throughout his career. Here are some of his notable records:
- Fastest player to reach 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 runs in ODI cricket for Pakistan.
- Fastest player to reach 1000 runs in T20 internationals.
- Most runs by a Pakistani in a single World Cup edition (2019) – 474 runs in 8 matches.
- Only Pakistani captain to score a century in a T20 international.
- First Pakistani batsman to score 5 consecutive centuries in ODIs.
Babar Azam Profile-Age and Career