13 Facts about Babar Azam – The young run machine from Pakistan

Babar Azam has arrived as Pakistan’s answer to their batting woes. Pakistan has always been known for their hostile bowlers. The batsmen have been there but the consistency has been an issue. With Babar Azam scoring runs in almost every that he plays, the team has had some respite. Azam has been in the team for quite some time now. But the cricket world took notice of this young man after the recent West Indies series. Azam’s heroics helped Pakistan whitewash the touring Windies 3-0.

It will only be interesting to see how he grows from strength to strength over the years. Azam has been a revelation for sure since his age group days. He can prove to be the solution to Pakistan’s middle-order batting miseries. Despite all his recent success, not many know much about him. Here are some interesting facts about Babar Azam:

1. Roots, beginnings and connections:

Mohammad Babar Azam was born on 15 October 1994 at Lahore. He started playing cricket at a very young age. He has connections in the cricket world. He is the cousin of the Akmal brothers – Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Adnan Akmal.

2. Tormentor in age group cricket:

He escalated quickly through the age group cricket. He was drafted in the Pakistan U19 cricket team for the tri-series in 2009. The tri-series involved Pakistan U19, Bangladesh U19 and Sri Lanka U19. A 15-year old Azam took the tournament by storm. He scored 213 runs in 4 matches at an average of 53.25. His top score of 127 came against Sri Lanka U19.

3. Phenomenal 2010 season:

The following year, in 2010, he piled up 298 runs in 6 matches for Pakistan U19. He averaged 59.60 in the calendar year.

4. Rewarded with Domestic call up – fifty on debut:

After an impressive showdown in U19 level, Babar Azam made his List A debut for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited against Pakistan Customs. He struck a timely 68 off 78 balls coming in as the opener with Imran Nazir. He made his FC debut for the same side against National Bank od Pakistan. He scored 53 on debut.

5. Gets the big role:

Owing to his impressive performances at the U19 level, he was appointed as the skipper of Pakistan U19 for the ICC U19 World Cup. Pakistan made it to the Super League stage where they bowed out after a narrow defeat by 1 run against India U19.

6. Highest scorer for Pakistan U19:

Skipper emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the ICC U19 World Cup with 298 runs. He lit up the tournament with a 75 against Afghanistan U19 in Pakistan’s first match of the tournament.

7. Fifty on international debut too:

He made his ODI International debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Lahore on 31 May 2015. After coming in to bat at number 4 and hit 54 off just 60 balls. The match was abandoned later due to rain.

8. On a rampage – West Indies feel the heat:

A herculean effort in whitewashing West Indies 3-0 in 2016 saw him enter the record books.He became the 3rd Pakistani player and the 7th overall to score 3 consecutive ODI centuries. Babar Azam, at 21 years and 356 days, became the 2nd youngest to score three consecutive ODI tons. He amassed 360 runs in 3 matches at an average of 120. It remains to be most runs scored by any batsman in a 3-match bilateral series.

9. Unique record to his name:

During West Indies tour of UAE, Babar Azam entered the record books. He scored 3 consecutive centuries in the 3-match series. He emerged with scores of 120, 123 and 117. He became the first batsman to score his first 3 centuries in consecutive innings.

10. On verge of breaking another:

If he scores another 114 runs in his next 2 innings, he will become the fastest player to complete 1000 runs in ODI history. Azam had 886 runs to his name in 18 innings. The record holders – Sir Viv Richards, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Quinton de Kock – have reached the coveted mark in 21 innings.

11. Gets the Test call-up:

His spectacular show in ODI earned him a Test cap during the first ever day-night Test on Asian soil. He made his debut against West Indies in 2016.

12. Admires Mr. 360:

As admitted by Babar himself, he idolizes South African batsman AB de Villiers and wishes to be like him.

13. The gym lover:

Azam takes his gym very seriously and keeps posting his gym updates on social media. He loves working out.