Mohammad Babar Azam is a leading Pakistani international cricketer and one of the world’s most consistent top-order batters. A right-handed batter and occasional right-arm off-break bowler, he has served as captain of Pakistan in limited-overs formats and is widely regarded for his technical elegance and run-scoring across formats. Azam captains Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has extensive experience in franchise T20 leagues, including Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Azam made his ODI debut in May 2015, T20I debut in September 2016, and Test debut in October 2016. Over his career, he has established himself as Pakistan’s premier batter in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, known for pacing innings with a blend of timing, balance, and shot selection. He was part of Pakistan’s victorious 2017 ICC Champions Trophy squad early in his international tenure.
He has held top positions in the ICC batting rankings, including ranking among the world’s best across formats. In T20Is, Azam has become Pakistan’s most prolific run-scorer in the format, surpassing benchmarks previously held by other leading international batters. His consistency at the top of the order has made him a linchpin in Pakistan’s batting lineup. As of early 2026 he has played regularly across bilateral series and ICC events, continuing to be a central figure in Pakistan’s plans.
Azam progressed through Pakistan’s domestic cricket system before establishing himself internationally. In the PSL, he has played for Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, and currently Peshawar Zalmi, leading the side as captain and consistently contributing with top-order runs. He has also competed in domestic leagues abroad, including with Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), expanding his experience in international franchise cricket.
His franchises have valued him as a backbone of their batting units, and his consistency has made him one of the sought-after batters in T20 leagues.
Azam’s batting is characterised by classic technique, balance, and timing, allowing him to excel in different formats and conditions. He combines textbook placement with selective boundary hitting, maintaining high batting averages in Test and ODI cricket while excelling in pacing T20 innings. His approach emphasises consistency and run accumulation, making him a reliable figure at the top of the order.
He has also demonstrated leadership qualities on and off the field, guiding batting units through challenging situations. While his T20 strike rate has drawn periodic discussion, his overall run production and stability have made him indispensable in longer formats.
Babar Azam is a cornerstone Pakistani batter whose technical skill, consistency, and run-scoring across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is have made him one of the leading figures in modern international cricket. His leadership roles, both domestically and internationally, and his record-setting achievements in limited-overs formats underscore his value as one of Pakistan’s premier cricketers.