Babar Azam: The Timeless Elegance of a Modern Cricket Maestro

 **Babar Azam: The Maestro of Modern Cricket – Career, Team, and 5 Most Shocking Moments**

**Let's Begin**

        Babar Azam, the Pakistani cricket superstar, has emerged as one of the best batters of his time. With his beautiful stroke play, immaculate technique, and calm disposition, he has attracted parallels to luminaries like Virat Kohli and Joe Root. As the captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team across all formats, Babar has led his side with grace and drive.

In this article, we’ll explore: - Babar Azam’s career and achievements

- The Pakistan cricket team and its squad structure

- **5 most memorable and surprising moments** from his career

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## **Babar Azam: The Rise of a Cricket Prodigy**

### **Early Life and Career Beginnings** Born on **October 15, 1994**, in Lahore, Pakistan, Babar Azam was destined for greatness. His cousin, the great **Kamran Akmal**, motivated him to pursue cricket. Babar made his international debut in **2015** against Zimbabwe and swiftly ascended through the ranks with his solid performances.

### **Captaincy and Leadership** In **2019**, Babar was chosen Pakistan’s **T20I captain**, and later, in **2020**, he took over as **ODI captain**. His biggest milestone occurred in **2021** when he was appointed **Test captain**, making him the leader across all forms. Under his supervision, Pakistan reached the **semifinals of the 2021 T20 World Cup** and the **final of the 2022 T20 World Cup**.

### **Records and Achievements** - **Fastest to 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 T20 runs** (surpassing Virat Kohli) - **First batsman to hit three straight ODI hundreds twice** - **Ranked No. 1 ODI batsman (ICC Rankings) for a record period** - ** Led Pakistan to No. 1 in T20I rankings (2021)**

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## **Pakistan Cricket Team: Squad Structure and Players**

Pakistan’s cricket squad comprises of **15-17 players** in big competitions, with a mix of seasoned veterans and youthful stars. The core squad includes:

### **Key Players (2024 Squad)**

1. **Babar Azam** (Captain, Top-order batsman)

2. **Mohammad Rizwan** (Wicketkeeper-batsman)

3. **Shaheen Afridi** (Lead fast bowler)

4. **Fakhar Zaman** (Explosive opener)

5. **Shadab Khan** (Vice-captain, All-rounder)

6. **Haris Rauf** (Fast bowler)

7. **Naseem Shah** (Emerging pace sensation)

8. **Imam-ul-Haq** (Solid opening batsman)

Pakistan’s team is recognized for its **unpredictability**, capable of defeating the top teams on their day but also suffering unexpected losses.

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**5 Most Memorable & Shocking Moments in Babar Azam’s Career**

### **1. Record-Breaking 158* versus England (2021) – A Masterclass in T20 Cricket** In a **T20I series against England (2021)**, Babar delivered one of the finest T20 innings ever. Chasing **200 runs**, he stayed **unbeaten at 158** off just **63 balls**, hammering **14 fours and 6 sixes**. This was the **highest individual score by a Pakistani in T20Is** and the **second-highest in all T20Is** at the time.

**Why Shocking?** England boasted a world-class bowling attack, however Babar demolished them with ease, demonstrating his superiority in the shortest format.

### **2. Pakistan’s Collapse vs Australia (2022) – Babar’s Heartbreaking Run-Out** During a **crucial Test match vs Australia (2022)**, Pakistan needed **127 runs** to win with **5 wickets in hand**. Babar was batting on **55**, looking ready to carry Pakistan to victory. However, a **mix-up with Mohammad Rizwan** led to a **devastating run-out**. Pakistan fell, losing by **just 15 runs**.

**Why Shocking?** The run-out was absolutely preventable, and supporters blamed misunderstanding. It was one of the **most painful losses** under Babar’s command.

### **3. Babar’s Dismissal for 0 in T20 World Cup 2022 Final** The **2022 T20 World Cup final** was Pakistan’s chance to recover glory. Batting first, England set a goal of **138**, which was chaseable. However, in the **first over**, Babar was **dismissed for a golden duck** by **Ben Stokes**. Pakistan fell, losing by **5 wickets**.

**Why Shocking?** Babar, the backbone of Pakistan’s batting, faltered when it needed most. His early withdrawal set the tone for a poor final.

### **4. The 196 against Australia (2019) – A Near-Miss Double Century**

In a **Test match in Brisbane (2019)**, Babar produced one of his greatest innings, scoring **196** in a losing cause. He batted for **425 minutes**, facing **425 balls**, but was **dismissed just 4 runs shy of a double century**.

**Why Shocking?** Fans were amazed by his fortitude, but his expulsion caused a collapse, and Pakistan lost the match. Many thought he deserved a double ton.

### **5. Resignation from Captaincy (2023) - A Sudden Step Down**

After Pakistan’s **early departure from the 2023 ODI World Cup**, Babar **stepped down as captain** across all forms. The decision startled supporters, considering he was Pakistan’s most successful modern-day captain.

**Why Shocking?** Many believed he was driven out owing to politics, while others thought he needed a break. His resignation fueled discussions regarding PCB’s administration.

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## **Conclusion** Babar Azam remains one of cricket’s modern-day greats, but his path has been littered with **triumphs and heartbreaks**. From record-breaking centuries to stunning collapses, his career is a rollercoaster of emotions.

As he continues to dominate international cricket, supporters anxiously expect more legendary moments from the **"King of Pakistani Cricket."**

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