Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam has reached his century of matches in the One-Day International (ODI) format. Speaking ahead of the milestone, the 28-year-old talked about his journey in ODI cricket. He made his debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in 2015, and since then, has become one of the most successful batters in recent history, holding the number one spot on the ICC ODI Rankings since April 2022. Babar Azam is known for his discipline, solid technique, consistency, and level-headedness, qualities he attributed to the hard work he has put in since he started playing cricket at the under-15 regional level.
Babar Azam’s journey to becoming an international cricketer was full of sacrifices, with poignant moments spent away from his family. His paternal uncle passed away while he was on tour with Pakistan U19 in South Africa. His paternal grandmother died when he was playing a match in Islamabad, and he could not attend the final rituals. Despite these challenges, Babar credits his family for supporting him throughout his career.
He recalls that after his first season as a U15 regional player, he was not selected for the national academy for top performers due to his poor performance. This setback motivated him to set goals and work hard day and night. Speaking about his first call up for the national side, Babar said, “It was a different feeling altogether. There was some talk about me being selected, but when I got the call, there was a lot of excitement. I was sitting with my family, and it made them happy.”
Babar credits Mickey Arthur, the former head coach and current team director, for his transformation into a reliable stroke-maker. The coach gave him the confidence to give his best to the side and not worry about getting dropped from the team. Babar took the reins of the national side in 2019, and the added responsibility has brought the best out of him. He believes the key to leading a team is providing clarity to every player, honest and open communication, which brings positivity to the team environment.
Babar Azam is known for his exquisite stroke-play, and his three consecutive centuries in the United Arab Emirates against the West Indies in 2016 turned around his career and gave him the confidence to perform. He is currently the holder of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award, the latter being his second in as many years.
“I have a family that supports me. My mother bought me my first-ever cricket bat and gear, and I used that bat for good two to three years. My dad has been a great influence in my life. He tells me to be never complacent and that keeps me hungry and focused. My brothers always lend me support in tough times,” Babar said.
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