Babar Azam (born October 15, 1994) is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, known for his stylish batting and consistency. Hailing from Lahore’s historic Walled City, he rose from humble beginnings – even serving as a 13-year-old ball-boy at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium – to become Pakistan’s top-order mainstay in all formats. He is the cousin of former Pakistani players Kamran, Umar and Adnan Akmal, whose stories initially inspired his passion for the game. Under the guidance of coach Rana Sadiq, Babar’s talent flourished; he played for Pakistan’s Under-19 side, captained its 2012 World Cup team, and quickly climbed the domestic ranks. (In fact, he left formal schooling after grade 8 to focus on cricket.) These formative experiences set the stage for an international career that has broken records and captured the imagination of cricket fans worldwide.
Personal Life and Background
Babar was born into a Punjabi family in Lahore. His father, Azam Siddique, a former first-class cricketer, has been a steady influence. Babar often publicly thanks him; for example, on Father’s Day 2025 he posted a heartfelt tribute calling Azam his “hero” and inspiration. His mother, Maira Azam, has generally stayed out of the limelight, though she was in critical condition (on a ventilator) during the 2021 T20 World Cup – an ordeal during which Babar courageously batted for Pakistan while worried for her health. Fortunately she recovered. Babar has siblings (brothers and sisters), but he maintains a very private personal life. As of 2025 he remains unmarried and there is no confirmed public information about any fiancée or spouse. He prefers to keep his family life out of the media.
Off the field, Babar leads a relatively grounded life despite his fame. He has jokingly said in interviews that his favorite hobbies are playing snooker and going shopping, reflecting a playful side beyond cricket. He is known for his sportsmanship and rarely courts controversy. In interviews and ICC promotional videos, his calm demeanor and thoughtful responses reveal a personable, fan-friendly character.
Rising to International Stardom
Babar Azam’s international career began in 2015. He was first named to Pakistan’s ODI squad for a home series against Zimbabwe, and made his ODI debut on May 31, 2015 – promptly scoring a composed 54 runs. His elegant cover drives and solid technique quickly caught attention. Later that year he debuted in T20 Internationals (Sept 2016 vs England) and in Test cricket (Oct 2016 vs West Indies in Dubai). In his very first Test innings he scored 69, becoming the first player to hit a fifty on Test debut in a day-night match.
However, it was in the shorter formats that Babar initially shone. In 2016 against West Indies, he famously struck three consecutive ODI centuries (120, 123, 117) in a three-match series – a feat never before done against a major team. That performance set several records (360 runs in three ODIs) and established him as a batting prodigy. Over the next few years he became a pillar of Pakistan’s batting order. He was named Pakistan’s ODI captain in 2019 (succeeding Sarfaraz Ahmed) and was voted ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2022.
Key Performances
Babar has delivered many standout innings for Pakistan. His 68* in the 2021 T20 World Cup 10-wicket win over India demonstrated his nerves of steel, batting under personal duress (his mother was ill). In the 2022 home Test series against Australia, he crafted a masterful 196 runs at Karachi against a formidable Australian pace attack (Starc, Cummins, Lyon) – widely acclaimed as one of Pakistan’s greatest innings. In ODIs, he set the record as the fastest Pakistani to 1,000 ODI runs and went on to accumulate massive totals in ICC tournaments: 474 runs in the 2019 World Cup (most by any Pakistani that tournament) and top scores in other global events.
Throughout his career, Babar’s batting averages have been exceptional. In ODIs he has averaged around 54.23 (as of April 2025) with 19 centuries, and in T20Is about 39.83 with 3 centuries. He has often been Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in series: for example, he scored 352 ODI runs in 2017 alone (the team’s top tally). In Test cricket he averages in the low 40s, showcasing his adaptability to all formats.
Captaincy and Leadership
Babar’s success earned him the captaincy. In 2019 he was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain, and later the Test captain, too. Under his leadership, Pakistan reached significant heights. They became the number-one ranked ODI team globally (a unique distinction under his captaincy), and they won the 2017 Champions Trophy with Babar as a key batsman (he scored 46 in the final). In 2022 he guided Pakistan to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Australia. The ICC recognized his captaincy year as outstanding – praising him with awards. In January 2023 Babar won the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (overall Cricketer of the Year) for 2022, reflecting a year in which he amassed 1,184 Test runs (at ~70.24 average) and 679 ODI runs (at 85.19 average). Legendary batsman Ricky Ponting hailed Babar’s technique and temperament, noting his ability to “play spin and fast bowling really well” and dominate in varied conditions.
However, captaincy also brought scrutiny. During his tenure, Pakistan’s performances were mixed. After a disappointing first-round exit in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Babar relinquished captaincy across formats. In October 2024 he resigned as white-ball captain for the second time, saying he was fatigued by the dual role and wanted to improve his own batting. Teammates and officials expressed support for him to focus on batting. By late 2024, Rizwan became Pakistan’s ODI/T20 captain, leaving Babar as a senior batsman rather than captain.
Career by Format
Test Cricket: Babar made his Test debut in October 2016. Over 59 Tests, he has scored 4,235 runs (as of April 2025) at an average of 42.77, including 9 centuries. He holds notable Test records: he once scored 196 (the highest score by a Pakistan batsman against Australia in UAE), and he is one of the few Pakistan players to have scored centuries in both innings of a Test. While his Test form dipped at times – leading to him being briefly dropped in 2024 after a long run without a fifty – he rebounded to be named in Pakistan’s Test squads for England (2024) and South Africa (late 2024) tours.
One-Day Internationals: Babar is especially prolific in ODIs. From his debut in 2015 to April 2025 he played 134 ODIs, scoring 6,291 runs at an exceptional average of 54.23 (with 19 centuries and 37 fifties). He has been Pakistan’s premier ODI batsman for years, often averaging well above 50. Babar became the joint-fastest player in the world to reach 6,000 ODI runs in only 123 innings (tied with Hashim Amla), breaking Pakistan’s previous record. He also was the fastest ever (any country) to 5,000 ODI runs (97 innings). His 19 ODI hundreds are the second-most for Pakistan (just one behind Saeed Anwar). At one point in 2022-23, Pakistan won 14 of 26 ODIs, largely on Babar’s batting – a span during which he lifted Pakistan to world #1 and won ICC awards.
T20 Internationals: In T20Is Babar was Pakistan’s captain for several years (including leading the team in the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups). He has played 128 T20Is with 4,223 runs at 39.83 (3 hundreds, 36 fifties). He is known for his classic cover drive even in T20s and once had a strike rate over 146 in 2023 T20Is. However, by 2024 his T20 batting average and strike rate dipped, and after the 2024 T20 World Cup Pakistan’s short-format failures reignited questions about his captaincy. Former opener Ahmed Shehzad publicly criticized him during that World Cup, sarcastically dubbing him a “fraud king” for not delivering trophies. Reports then emerged that Babar considered legal action against some online critics for misconduct allegations. Ultimately, new coach Mike Hesson chose to experiment with more aggressive T20 openers, dropping Babar and Rizwan from squads in mid-2025.
Overall, Babar Azam’s batting across formats has been extraordinary, though he briefly fell out of T20 favor. Notably, throughout his career he has maintained remarkable consistency: in 2022 alone he averaged 69.3 in Tests, 85.19 in ODIs and scored 735 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 123. His technique is widely admired – Ponting called him a potential all-time great, still improving into his 30s. In ICC rankings, he has frequently been top-three (at one point #1 ODI batter, and peaking #4 in Tests).
Notable Records and Statistics (as of 2025)
Fastest to Milestones: Joint-fastest to 6,000 ODI runs (123 innings), fastest to 5,000 ODI runs (97 innings).
5000+ Pakistan Runs: In ODIs, one of only three Pakistanis with over 5,000 runs (with Inzamam, Yousuf, Afridi).
Centuries: 19 ODI centuries (2nd-most for Pakistan), 9 Test centuries, 3 T20I centuries. Notably he scored ODI centuries in three consecutive innings twice (in 2016 vs WI and again in 2022 vs AUS/WI).
World Cup Performance: Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the 2019 and 2023 ODIs (474 in 2019 WC, 493 in 2023 WC). Also top Pakistani run-getter in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi.
Awards: ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2022 and Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year) 2022. Named to ICC’s ODI Team of the Year multiple times. Pakistan’s own PCB named him ODI Player of the Year (2017, 2022) and Men’s Player of the Year.
These statistics underscore Babar’s place as one of Pakistan’s modern greats. He was often compared to India’s Virat Kohli for style and runs – indeed, after Azam’s world-beating 2016-2022 performance, Kohli himself was quoted praising Babar. Across all formats he has scored over 14,000 international runs by early 2025, a tally only a few Pakistan players have matched at his age.
Off-Field and Media Presence
Off the field, Babar’s popularity makes him a sought-after ambassador. He has had several high-profile endorsements and sponsorships. Notably, he was long-time brand ambassador for Gray-Nicolls (an English cricket gear company) – bats, helmets, gloves, etc.. In 2025 he switched to sponsoring with Pakistani brand CA Sports, ending his Gray-Nicolls deal to sign a reported lucrative contract with the local manufacturer. He also appears in advertising campaigns; fans may have seen him promoting sports gear or consumer brands (in Pakistan Babar’s face is often used for Pepsi and other sports tie-ups).
Babar enjoys a comfortable lifestyle befitting his success. His net worth was reported to be around $5 million (₹41 crore) by 2025, drawn from match fees, contracts, and endorsements. He owns several luxury cars: sources list vehicles like the Audi A5, Audi e-tron GT (an electric car reportedly gifted by his brother after winning the 2023 Asia Cup), and even a Lamborghini Aventador. He bought properties in Lahore and is often seen at public events in style. Yet teammates say he remains down-to-earth.
Babar also contributes to charitable causes. For instance, amid the catastrophic Pakistan floods of 2022 and 2025, he took part in relief initiatives. In August 2025, he agreed to feature for Peshawar Zalmi in a high-profile exhibition match to raise funds for flood victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All proceeds from that match (a “Khel Se Khidmat” charity game) went to rehabilitation efforts. Earlier, Pakistani cricket stars, including Babar, participated in benefit matches following the 2022 floods. While not overtly a philanthropist in media, Babar’s participation in such matches and his generally empathetic persona have been noted by fans.
In media coverage, Babar is a fixture of cricket interviews and talk shows. He is an ICC interview favorite during tournaments, and his calm, articulate answers make him a media-friendly figure. He has millions of followers on social media (Instagram, Twitter) and often shares glimpses of training, travel, and family life (occasionally thanking fans for support, or sharing personal milestones). Despite his fame, he stays largely apolitical and focuses interviews on cricket. This professional conduct bolsters his image as a respectful role model for young athletes.
Controversies and Criticism
By cricketing standards, Babar has had relatively few personal scandals. He is known to avoid on-field confrontation and shadow boxing. The main controversies have stemmed from cricketing performance and leadership debates.
The most prominent dispute occurred during and after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan unexpectedly lost to the USA and India and exited in the group stage. Former players and pundits unleashed sharp criticism. Most notably, ex-opener Ahmed Shehzad publicly scolded Babar on a TV show, ridiculing his batting strike rate and calling him a “fraud king” – comments that created a social media storm. Some bloggers and YouTubers accused Babar of failing to lead and allegedly mishandling the team. Reports then circulated that Babar was “considering legal action” against people spreading “misconduct” allegations about him, with Pakistan Cricket Board lawyers supposedly gathering evidence to protect his reputation. These incidents were highly publicized in mid-2024. Babar himself remained largely diplomatic publicly, focusing on training and performance.
Another minor controversy was when a local journalist (Zainab Abbas) posted sarcastic comments about Babar’s captaincy in 2018; he replied via Twitter, leading to a small media spat. And in 2024 Eastern Eye reported a behind-the-scenes clash when Babar’s father (Azam Siddique) criticized senior wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for remarks about his son. However, such episodes are peripheral and ultimately reflect the intense scrutiny Pakistani captains often face.
Importantly, none of these controversies involve off-field misconduct – they are all tied to cricketing debate. Even critics acknowledge Babar’s work ethic and attitude. As a result, he remains a respected figure; much controversy has faded, and many fans hope for his resurgence as a player.
Recent Developments (2025 and Beyond)
Entering 2025, Babar Azam is at a crossroads of sorts. He had stepped down as captain, but he is still one of Pakistan’s premier batsmen. Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (ODI tournament) in Feb-March 2025. Babar was named in Pakistan’s squad and was highlighted as a “player to watch” – indeed, he was the ICC’s number-one ranked ODI batter heading into the tournament. He had ended 2024 in good form, scoring back-to-back fifties in South Africa. During the Champions Trophy, Pakistan played with Rizwan as captain and Babar as senior batsman in the top order.
In white-ball cricket, Pakistan’s new coach Mike Hesson made his plans clear. In July 2025, Hesson said both Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi had to earn their way back into the T20 side. He explained that Babar was competing with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for one of the opening slots, and emphasized that Babar needed to raise his T20 strike rate (currently around 129) to fit the modern aggressive style. Hesson explicitly stated Babar was “not seen as a wicket-keeping option” (debunking rumors that had floated) and that the team was incentivizing quick scoring. The new coach later reiterated in August that the Big Bash League could help Babar regain form: he encouraged Babar to use the upcoming Australian BBL (where Babar signed with Sydney Sixers) to improve his batting against spin and strike-rate. In fact, it was announced that Babar would debut for the Sixers in December 2025 (BBL|15), making him one of the few Pakistani stars in that league.
Thus, by mid-2025 Babar was focusing on making a comeback at the international level. He continued to play Tests – he was named in the Pakistan squad for the October 2025 Test series against England – and he remained a fixture in ODIs. The October 2024 Al Jazeera report noted that Babar had been recalled to the Test squad for England just days after stepping down as captain, indicating selectors’ faith in his abilities. Despite his captaincy struggles, senior players like Shan Masood publicly stated they fully supported him. In limited-overs cricket, while he missed the mid-2025 Asia Cup squad, the Champions Trophy preview suggested he would “lead with actions” in the home tournament.
Off the field in 2025, Babar’s profile also remains high. He maintains his endorsement deals (including new ones with CA Sports and other brands). The net worth article (Aug 2025) emphasizes his luxury car collection and style, indicating his star power. In September 2025, Pakistan was due to host the 50-over Asia Cup, and though the full squad (pending at time of writing) is uncertain, Babar’s form and experience make it likely he will feature. Internationally, he has hinted he wants to get back into T20 cricket for the 2026 World Cup cycle – echoing Hesson’s encouragement that “he’s too good a player not to consider”.
In summary, the recent narrative (2025) is one of transition. Babar Azam remains Pakistan’s batting linchpin, especially in ODIs, but he is no longer the captain. Young players are given chances in T20s, and Babar is seen refining his game (with Coach Hesson’s help) to meet new demands. Both fans and the media are watching whether he can return to the top of T20 selection and sustain his ODI dominance. Given his record, talent, and the accolades he’s earned – including making his nation proud – many anticipate he will continue to break records for years to come.
