Babar Azam turns 31: the hero, the target, and still Pakistan’s batting heartbeat

WEB DESK: There was a time when a generation of Pakistani kids didn’t dream of hitting sixes like Afridi, they dreamed of timing them like Babar Azam. As the Lahore-born right-hander turns 31 today, his journey from a ball-boy at Gaddafi Stadium to one of the world’s most elegant run-machines reads like a cricketing fairytale written in cover drives. Even now his fans let out a sigh of relief and say, ‘King karle ga‘.

Born on October 15, 1994, Babar was destined for cricket, his cousins are none other than the Akmal trio: Kamran, Umar, and Adnan. But while the Akmals blazed their own trails, Babar took the slower, surer route: Under-15s in 2008, two U-19 World Cups as Pakistan’s top scorer, and years of domestic grind before his 2015 international debut. When the spotlight finally found him, he didn’t blink, he dazzled.

Babar Azam returns to Pakistan squad for South Africa Test series

According to Cricinfo, In 2016, barely 21, Babar smashed three consecutive ODI hundreds against West Indies, announcing himself as Pakistan’s next batting hope. Soon, his numbers started rewriting record books: the fastest to 1,000 T20I runs, among the quickest to 2,000 in ODIs, and later, the fastest to 6,000. For a nation long searching for consistency in batting, Babar was not just an answer — he was the template.

By 2019, his World Cup hundred against New Zealand had entered folklore. And in the years that followed, Babar’s Test game caught up spectacularly. Between 2018 and 2022, he was in rare form — piling up nearly 9,000 runs across formats, more than any other batter in that period. His ten-hour vigil for 196 against Australia in Karachi became a symbol of resolve, artistry, and quiet defiance.

Captaincy came as naturally as cover drives. By 2020, he was leading Pakistan in all formats, steering them to memorable wins and the 2022 T20 World Cup final. Yet, as with many Pakistan captains, triumphs were followed by turbulence. The 2023 World Cup exit and a lean patch saw him step down from leadership, ending a chapter where he’d been Pakistan’s most successful all-format captain after Imran Khan.

Babar Azam ‘attacked’ during Zalmi vs Legends XI match

Now, at 31, Babar Azam stands at a crossroads, no longer the automatic pick he once was, but still the player who can turn a match on its head with one fluid flick through midwicket. Whether he roars back to form or embraces a quieter phase, one truth endures: when Babar bats, Pakistan still pauses to watch.

Both Sydney Sixers and Peshawar Zalmi wished him a very happy birthday, urging fans to join as well:

Happy Birthday, Babar 🩷

We can't wait to see you in magenta this season!#BBL15 #expecttheunforgettable pic.twitter.com/oayxrkxHwB

— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) October 15, 2025

Elegance, power and pure brilliance, that’s @babarazam258 💛

Join us in wishing a very Happy Birthday to our Captain! 🎂
Here’s to another year of excellence and joy. 🙌

Drop your birthday wishes 👇 in the comments.#Zalmi #YellowStorm #ZalmiXLegacy #HappyBirthdayBabarAzam pic.twitter.com/4iAwK4vX0I

— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) October 14, 2025

Some facts about Azam:

• Babar Azam became joint-fastest to 6,000 ODI runs, reaching the mark in 123 innings, matching Hashim Amla’s record.
• He reached 5,000 ODI runs in just 97 innings, which was the fastest at the time.
• When Babar crossed 6,000 ODI runs, his batting average was 55.73, the highest average among batters when they reached that milestone.
• Babar is the 11th Pakistani cricketer to surpass 6,000 runs in ODIs.
• He has scored 19 ODI centuries, second-most for Pakistan, behind Saeed Anwar.

Web Desk