Babar Azam: Difference between revisions

| height = 5 ft 11 in<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/babar-azam|title=Profile|website=Sportskeeda|access-date=30 January 2021|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208235745/https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/babar-azam|url-status=live}}</ref>

| lastT20Idate = 2516 MayJune

| lastT20Iagainst = EnglandIreland

'''Mohammad Babar Azam'''{{efn| ([[Urdu]], {{lang-pa|{{Nastaliq|محمد بابر اعظم}}}}}}; ({{IPA-pa|mʊɦəmmədMuhamməd baːbəɾbabəɾ aːzəmazəm|pron}}; born 15 October 1994), is a Pakistani international cricketer and the current [[Captain (cricket)|captain]] of the [[Pakistan national cricket team]] in [[Limited overs cricket|limited overs]]. He is widely regarded as one of the finest batters in contemporary world cricketformats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Dhruv |date=2022-05-09 |title=Babar Azam Is The Best Batter In The World At The Moment: Daniel Vettori |url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/babar-azam-is-the-best-batter-in-the-world-at-the-moment-daniel-vettori/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Narayanan |first=Venkat |date=2023-08-13 |title=Babar Azam 'probably the best batsman in the world': Virat Kohli |url=http://crictoday.com/cricket/daily-cricket-news/babar-azam-probably-the-best-batsman-in-the-world-virat-kohli/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Crictoday |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Babar to be greatest white-ball cricketer of all time: Ian Bishop |url=https://dunyanews.tv/amp/english/656303.php |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=dunyanews.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricky Ponting lauds Cricketer of the Year Babar Azam: He may go down as one of Pakistan's all-time greats |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ricky-ponting-lauds-cricketer-of-the-year-babar-azam-he-may-go-down-as-one-of-pakistans-all-time-greats-2327841-2023-01-29 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=India Today |date=29 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He is presently the only cricketer in the world toranked be inamong the top 10 rankingsin acrossevery allinternational formatsformat, andranking is1st currentlyamongst ranked as the number one batterbatters in ODIs, 4th in T20Is, and 3rd in Tests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICC Men's & Women's Cricket Rankings Overview |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=ICC |language=en}}</ref> A right-handed top-order batter, he captains [[Peshawar Zalmi]] in the [[Pakistan Super League|PSL]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Babar replaces Wahab Riaz as Peshawar Zalmi's captain |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/psl-2023-babar-azam-replaces-wahab-riaz-as-peshawar-zalmi-s-captain-1349721 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>

Babar Azam was born on 15 October 1994 into a [[Punjabi Muslims|Punjabi Muslim]] family in the [[Walled City of Lahore]], and recalls the memories of "playing cricket and roaming around like a free bird in those streets." His older [[first cousin]]s (through his elder paternal [[uncle]]) [[Kamran Akmal|Kamran]] and [[Umar Akmal]] were the reason he was attracted to cricket, and their stories inspired him to take up cricket as his profession. He had been a ball boy at [[Gaddafi Stadium]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz9okmQIYvA |title=Cricbuzz In Conversation with Babar Azam: Part 1 |date=10 June 2020 |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=5 August 2020 |last=[[Cricbuzz]] |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612013257/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz9okmQIYvA&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> before joining a cricket academy and starting his domestic cricket career there. He was present during the home series Pakistan played between 2006 and 2008.

He sought guidance from Rana Sadiq, his first coach, who taught him the fundamentals of batting. Later, he went on to be a part of the Pakistan U-19 (under 19) setup.

He was retained in the ODI squad for the home series [[English cricket team against Pakistan in the UAE in 2015–16|against England]]. In the first ODI of the four match series he scored 62 not out with a strike rate of 100 which helped Pakistan win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11286/scorecard/902641/England-vs-Pakistan-1st-ODI/|title=England vs Pakistan 1st ODI-ODI Series 2015–16|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812090617/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11286/scorecard/902641/England-vs-Pakistan-1st-ODI|url-status=live}}</ref> He had scores of 4, 22 and 51 in next three matches respectively.<ref name="BabarAzaminningslist">{{cite web|title=Statistics / Statsguru / Babar Azam / One-Day Internationals / Innings List|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/348144.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910131145/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/348144.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished the series with 139 runs at an average of 46.33.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=10305;type=series|title=Pakistan Vs England ODI Leading runs scorer|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=29 November 2015|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121045140/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=10305;type=series|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 19 January 2017, in the [[Pakistani cricket team in Australia in 2016–17#3rd ODI|third ODI against Australia]], Azam became then joint-fastest player to score 1,000 runs in ODIs and then fastest for Pakistan in his 21st innings before his national record and world record was eclipsed by his compatriot [[Fakhar Zaman (cricketer)|Fakhar Zaman]].<ref name="babar1000">[http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283174.html Records &#124;{{pipe}} One-Day Internationals &#124;{{pipe}} Batting records &#124;{{pipe}} Fastest to 1000 runs &#124;{{pipe}} ESPN Cricinfo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607084024/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283174.html |date=7 June 2015 }}, Stats.espncricinfo.com, 1 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-2-01.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sundararaman |first=Gaurav |date=19 January 2017 |title=The fastest to 1000 and 3000 ODI runs |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-fastest-to-1000-and-3000-odi-runs-1078435 |access-date=19 January 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427062157/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-fastest-to-1000-and-3000-odi-runs-1078435 |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored a century in the fifth ODI, which was only the second century ever scored by a Pakistani batsman in Australia after [[Zaheer Abbas]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1309666/pcb-needs-groom-babar-azam-save-fading-away/|title=PCB needs to groomt Babar Azam to save him from fading away|work=Tribune|date=28 January 2017|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=28 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128122049/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1309666/pcb-needs-groom-babar-azam-save-fading-away/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also entered the top 10 batsmen's ranking in ODIs for the first time ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1308614/icc-rankings-babar-azam-breaks-odi-top-10/|title=Babar Azam breaks into ODIs top 10|work=Tribune|date=27 January 2017|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129183637/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1308614/icc-rankings-babar-azam-breaks-odi-top-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Sarfaraz Ahmed]] replaced [[Azhar Ali]] as Pakistan's ODI team captain [[Pakistani cricket team in the West Indies in 2016–17|against the West Indies]] after Azhar Ali stepped down from the captaincy after a humiliating defeat [[Pakistani cricket team in Australia in 2016–17|against Australia in ODI series]]. HeBabar Azam scored an unbeaten 125 in the 2nd ODI of the three–match ODI series at [[Providence Stadium]], [[Guyana]].<ref name="BabarAzaminningslist" /> Azam along with [[Imad Wasim]] put on an unbeaten 99 runs partnership which helped Pakistan to a total of 282.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10927/scorecard/1077950/West-Indies-vs-Pakistan-2nd-ODI-wi-v-pak-2017/|title=Pak V WI in WI 2016–17 / 2nd ODI|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113102214/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10927/scorecard/1077950/West-Indies-vs-Pakistan-2nd-ODI-wi-v-pak-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, Azam also broke the record of scoring the most runs after the first 25 ODI innings in this match.<ref name=ci10apr17a>[https://www.geo.tv/latest/137473-Babar-Azam-becomes-top-run-scorer-in-first-25-ODI-innings Most runs after first 25 ODI Innings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013035151/https://www.geo.tv/latest/137473-Babar-Azam-becomes-top-run-scorer-in-first-25-ODI-innings |date=13 October 2019 }}, Geo News, 10 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-4-11.</ref>

He was the leading runs-scorer for Pakistan in 2016 in ODIs and T20Is with 872 and 352 runs respectively.<ref name="2017ODI">{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=2017;type=year|title=Records &#124;{{pipe}} One-Day Internationals &#124;{{pipe}} Batting records &#124;{{pipe}} Most runs in 2017 &#124;{{pipe}} ESPN Cricinfo|publisher=Stats.espncricinfo.com|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730142419/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=2017;type=year|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2017T20I">{{cite web|title=Records &#124;{{pipe}} Twenty 20 Internationals &#124;{{pipe}} Batting records &#124;{{pipe}} Most runs in 2017 &#124;{{pipe}} ESPN Cricinfo|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=2017;type=year|publisher=Stats.espncricinfo.com|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312094747/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=2017;type=year|url-status=live}}</ref> At the 2017 PCB awards, he was awarded Pakistan's ODI Player of the year.<ref name="PCBawards">{{cite web|url= https://www.dawn.com/news/1357655|title= Sarfaraz bags outstanding player of the year at PCB awards 2017|publisher= Dawn News|date= 14 September 2017|access-date= 29 October 2017|archive-date= 29 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171029173129/https://www.dawn.com/news/1357655|url-status= live}}</ref> He was also listed in 2017's [[ICC ODI Team of the Year|ICC World ODI XI]] for the first time ever.<ref name="ODIXI">{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/596961|title=Men's ODI Team of the year|publisher=Icc.cricket.com|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118182204/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/596961|url-status=live}}</ref>

Just before the World Cup, Pakistan played [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2019|against England]] in one-off T20I and 5-match ODI series to prepare for the tournament. In the T20I fixture he scored 65 from 42 balls before getting run-out. In the 5-match ODI series, he ended up as the joint leading runs-scorer, scoring 277 runs including a century and two half-centuries, going into the World Cup with runs under his belt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12489;type=series|title=Most runs / ODI series / Eng vs Pak – 2019 /Statistics|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=19 May 2019|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420012522/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12489;type=series|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 June 2019, in the match against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]], Azam became the fastest batsman for Pakistan, in terms of innings, to score 3,000 runs in ODIs (68).<ref name="babar3000a">{{cite web |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/490098-babar-azam-becomes-fastest-pakistani-batsman-to-reach-3000-runs |title=Babar Azam becomes fastest Pakistani batsman to reach 3,000 runs |work=The News |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626165332/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/490098-babar-azam-becomes-fastest-pakistani-batsman-to-reach-3000-runs |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same match, he also scored his 10th century in ODIs, finishing 101 [[not out]], with Pakistan winning by 6 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019/story/world-cup-2019-pakistan-vs-new-zealand-cricket-report-babar-azam-shaheen-afridi-semi-final-chance-alive-1556860-2019-06-26 |title=World Cup 2019: Pakistan keep semi-final hopes alive after handing New Zealand 1st defeat |work=India Today |date=26 June 2019 |access-date=26 June 2019 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626234755/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019/story/world-cup-2019-pakistan-vs-new-zealand-cricket-report-babar-azam-shaheen-afridi-semi-final-chance-alive-1556860-2019-06-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> With this century, he also became the first middle-order batsman from Pakistan to hit a century in a World Cup match after 32 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2019/1127137/twitter-hails-babar-azam-as-he-becomes-first-pakistan-middle-order-batsman-to-score-world-cup-hundred-after-1987/|title=Twitter hails Babar Azam as he becomes first Pakistan middle order batsman to score World Cup hundred after 1987|work=Fox Sports Asia|access-date=27 June 2019|archive-date=27 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627121209/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2019/1127137/twitter-hails-babar-azam-as-he-becomes-first-pakistan-middle-order-batsman-to-score-world-cup-hundred-after-1987/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A week later, in the match against [[Bangladesh cricket team|Bangladesh]], Babar broke [[Javed Miandad]]'s record of the most runs by a Pakistani batsman in a single edition of the World Cup, scoring 474 runs in 8 innings.<ref name="wc19">{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/cricket/world-cup-2019/latest/1379-babar-azam-breaks-javed-miandads-27-year-old-record|title=Babar Azam breaks Javed Miandad's 27-year-old record|work=Geo TV|access-date=5 June 2019|archive-date=5 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705123032/https://www.geosuper.tv/cricket/world-cup-2019/latest/1379-babar-azam-breaks-javed-miandads-27-year-old-record|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2020, [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20|Bangladesh toured Pakistan]] for a three-match T20I series, with Azam captaining Pakistan for the first time at home.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/world-no-1-babar-azam-to-captain-pakistan-for-the-first-time-in-front-of-his-home-fans.html |title=World No. 1 Babar Azam to captain Pakistan for the first time in front of his home fans |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=25 January 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125144755/https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/world-no-1-babar-azam-to-captain-pakistan-for-the-first-time-in-front-of-his-home-fans.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pakistan won the T20I series 2–0, with the third match abandoned due to rain. It was Pakistan's first series win under his captaincy and his first Player of the series award as captain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19732/report/1213060/pakistan-vs-bangladesh-3rd-t20i-bangladesh-in-pakistan-2019-20 |title=Rain forces abandonment, Pakistan take series 2-0 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=27 January 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127120042/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/19732/report/1213060/pakistan-vs-bangladesh-3rd-t20i-bangladesh-in-pakistan-2019-20 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first match of the [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20#1st Test|Test series]], he scored fluent 143 runs, beating his previous career best score of 127*.<ref>{{cite web|title=PAK vs BAN: Shan Masood and Babar Azam tame Bangla Tigers with tons|date=8 February 2020|url=https://crickettimes.com/2020/02/pak-vs-ban-shan-masood-and-babar-azam-push-tame-bangla-tigers-with-tons/|publisher=Cricket times|access-date=9 February 2020|archive-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210020659/https://crickettimes.com/2020/02/pak-vs-ban-shan-masood-and-babar-azam-push-tame-bangla-tigers-with-tons/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2020, he was appointed as ODI captain as well.<ref name="babarcaptainodi">{{cite web |title=Babar Azam named Pakistan captain for ODIs |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/babar-azam-named-pakistan-captain-for-odis-1222691 |access-date=13 May 2020 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107161302/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/babar-azam-named-pakistan-captain-for-odis-1222691 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2020, he was named as the T20I captain in a 29-man squad for Pakistan's [[Pakistani cricket team in England in 2020|tour to England]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] to play three Tests and three T20Is.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haider Ali the new face as Pakistan name 29-man touring party for England |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sarfaraz-ahmed-returns-haider-ali-the-new-face-in-29-man-pakistan-squad-for-england-tests-and-t20is-1224948 |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=18 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218003540/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sarfaraz-ahmed-returns-haider-ali-the-new-face-in-29-man-pakistan-squad-for-england-tests-and-t20is-1224948 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/haider-ali-named-in-29-player-squad-for-england-tour.html |title=Haider Ali named in 29-player squad for England tour |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612071011/https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/haider-ali-named-in-29-player-squad-for-england-tour.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In July, he was shortlisted in Pakistan's 20-man squad for the Test matches against England.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-shortlist-players-for-england-tests.html |title=Pakistan shortlist players for England Tests |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727191443/https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-shortlist-players-for-england-tests.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed in 20-man Pakistan squad for England Tests |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wahab-riaz-sarfaraz-ahmed-in-20-man-pakistan-squad-for-england-tests-1227907 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614193024/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wahab-riaz-sarfaraz-ahmed-in-20-man-pakistan-squad-for-england-tests-1227907 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the first day of the first Test, he scored an attacking unbeaten 69 runs in difficult conditions, to help his side get out of danger, his knock earned him appreciation from former England captains, Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1572763|title=Babar Azam punishes sloppy England with fine fifty in first test|work=Dawn|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805192103/https://www.dawn.com/news/1572763|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arysports.tv/babar-azam-fab-five-nasser-hussain/|title=For me, Babar Azam is in fab five' Nasser Hussain|work=ARY Sports|date=5 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420012525/https://arysports.tv/babar-azam-fab-five-nasser-hussain/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Quote box |width=30% |align=right |quoted=1 |quote="It’sIt's the fab five and Babar Azam is in that."|salign=right |source=— [[Nasser Hussain]] on Babar Azam's knock in the first test on England Tour.<ref name="babarpraisedbyenglandcaptains"/>}}

On 8 September 2020, he slipped to number two position in the T20I batsmen ranking after leading it for 22 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arysports.tv/babar-azam-loses-his-no-1-spot-in-icc-mens-t20i-rankings-to-dawid-malan/|title=Babar Azam loses his No. 1 spot in ICC men's T20I rankings to Dawid Malan|work=ARY Sports|date=9 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420012409/https://arysports.tv/babar-azam-loses-his-no-1-spot-in-icc-mens-t20i-rankings-to-dawid-malan/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He captained the team for the [[List of Pakistan national cricket captains#Men's One Day International captains|first time in ODIs]] in Pakistan's home series [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020–21|against Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Babar Azam: 'I count myself very lucky' to lead Pakistan at home |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/babar-azam-i-count-myself-very-lucky-to-lead-pakistan-at-home-1235747 |access-date=12 October 2020 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231132206/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/babar-azam-i-count-myself-very-lucky-to-lead-pakistan-at-home-1235747 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pakistan won the series 2–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/zimbabwe-beat-pakistan-super-over-sean-williams-blessing-muzarabani-babar-azam-1737723-2020-11-03 |title=PAK vs ZIM, 3rd ODI: Sean Williams and Blessing Muzarabani star as Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in Super Over |work=India Today |date=3 November 2020 |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103154123/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/zimbabwe-beat-pakistan-super-over-sean-williams-blessing-muzarabani-babar-azam-1737723-2020-11-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored 221 runs including a century score of 125 runs in the 3rd and final ODI and was named as Man of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=13743;type=series|title=Record / Most runs / PAK vs ZIM, 2020 ODI Series|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=4 November 2020|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114162236/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=13743;type=series|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7017-pak-vs-zim-live-score-updates-commentary-for-3rd-odi-in-rawalpindi-november-3|title=3rd ODI: Zimbabwe beat Pakistan after Super Over|work=Geo Super|access-date=4 November 2020|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103150629/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7017-pak-vs-zim-live-score-updates-commentary-for-3rd-odi-in-rawalpindi-november-3|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first T20I of the series [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Pakistan in 2020–21|against Zimbabwe]], he scored 82 runs, becoming the first batsman to score more than 1,000 runs in T20 cricket for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7069-babar-azam-completes-1000-t20-runs-for-2nd-straight-year|title=Babar Azam completes 1,000 T20 runs for 2nd straight year|work=Geo Super|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107155201/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/7069-babar-azam-completes-1000-t20-runs-for-2nd-straight-year|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 April 2021, Babar scored his maiden T20I century (122), in a winning cause against South Africa in the Centurion Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Babar Azam's masterful century leads Pakistan to a crushing win over South Africa in third T20I|url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/cricket/news/12123/12275453/babar-azams-masterful-century-led-pakistan-to-a-crushing-win-over-south-africa-in-third-t20i|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Sky Sports|language=en|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419083421/https://www.skysports.com/amp/cricket/news/12123/12275453/babar-azams-masterful-century-led-pakistan-to-a-crushing-win-over-south-africa-in-third-t20i|url-status=live}}</ref> He and [[Mohammad Rizwan (cricketer)|Mohammad Rizwan]] shared a partnership of 197 runs, which is the highest partnership for Pakistan in T20Is and the fourth-highest partnership of all time in the format.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} Twenty20 Internationals {{!}} Partnership records {{!}} Highest partnerships for any wicket|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283622.html|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Cricinfo|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415001114/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283622.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 April 2021, in the third T20I [[Pakistani cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2020–21|against Zimbabwe]], Babar became the fastest batsman, in terms of innings, to [[List of Twenty20 International records#Fastest to multiples of 1,000 runs|score 2,000 runs in T20Is]], doing so in his 52nd innings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/347219-babar-azam-breaks-virat-kohlis-record-by-being-the-fastest-batsman-to-2000-t20i-runs |title=Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohli's record by being the fastest batsman to 2,000 T20I runs |work=Geo TV |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425100223/https://www.geo.tv/latest/347219-babar-azam-breaks-virat-kohlis-record-by-being-the-fastest-batsman-to-2000-t20i-runs |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2021, Babar was named as the captain of Pakistan's squad for the [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/asif-ali-khusdil-shah-included-in-pakistan-t20-wc-squad-sharjeel-khan-left-out-1276467| title= Sharjeel Khan dropped from T20 World Cup squad; Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah make 15-man cut| work= ESPN Cricnfo| access-date= 6 September 2021| archive-date= 6 September 2021| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210906065958/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/asif-ali-khusdil-shah-included-in-pakistan-t20-wc-squad-sharjeel-khan-left-out-1276467| url-status= live}}</ref> During the tournament he regained his position as the number one T20I batsman in the rankings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Babar Azam reclaims T20I crown, first-time No. 1 bowler named |url=https://www.t20worldcup.com/news/2327671 |publisher=ICC |access-date=3 November 2021 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106133454/https://www.t20worldcup.com/news/2327671 |url-status=live }}</ref> Babar has broken the record of most fifties (4) and runs (303) in a T20 World Cup edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/t20-world-cup-2021/story/babar-azam-breaks-matthew-hayden-record-for-most-runs-in-maiden-t20-world-cup-appearance-1875748-2021-11-11 |title=Babar Azam breaks Matthew Hayden's record for most runs in debut T20 World Cup appearance |work=India Today |date=11 November 2021 |access-date=11 November 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111164650/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/t20-world-cup-2021/story/babar-azam-breaks-matthew-hayden-record-for-most-runs-in-maiden-t20-world-cup-appearance-1875748-2021-11-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> He led Pakistan to the semi-finals, where they lost to [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]], ending their campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 12, 2021|first=Dwaipayan|last=Datta|title=Pakistan vs Australia T20 2021: Australia beat Pakistan to set up final clash with New Zealand|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/t20-world-cup-australia-beat-pakistan-to-set-up-final-clash-with-new-zealand/articleshow/87657732.cms|access-date=2021-11-12|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112102803/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-mens-t20-world-cup/t20-world-cup-australia-beat-pakistan-to-set-up-final-clash-with-new-zealand/articleshow/87657732.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2022, [[Australian cricket team in Pakistan in 2021–22|Australia toured Pakistan]] after 24 years, in the second test match of the series, during which he scored 196 runs and broke the record of most runs by a captain in the fourth innings of a test.<ref name="record196">{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pak-vs-aus-2nd-test-2022-stats-babar-azam-record-knock-pakistan-marathon-effort-and-more-1305914 |title=Babar Azam's record knock, Pakistan's marathon effort, and more |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318055316/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pak-vs-aus-2nd-test-2022-stats-babar-azam-record-knock-pakistan-marathon-effort-and-more-1305914 |url-status=live }}</ref> A week later, during the first ODI against [[Australian cricket team|Australia]] played at [[Gaddafi Stadium]], he became the second fastest overall and fastest Asian to score 4,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in his 82nd inning.<ref name="f4000odi">{{cite web |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/29-Mar-2022/pakvaus-babar-azam-adds-another-feather-to-his-cap |title=PAKvAUS: Babar Azam adds another feather to his cap |work=Daily Pakistan |date=29 March 2022 |access-date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329171839/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/29-Mar-2022/pakvaus-babar-azam-adds-another-feather-to-his-cap |url-status=live }}</ref> Few days later, during the second ODI match, he became the first Pakistani skipper to score an ODI century against Australia, also becoming the fastest batter overall in terms of innings (83) to score 15th ODI century,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/14761-pak-vs-aus-babar-azam-becomes-fastest-batter-to-reach-15-odi-centuries |title=PAK vs AUS: Babar Azam becomes fastest batter to reach 15 ODI centuries |work=Geo Super |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331192625/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/14761-pak-vs-aus-babar-azam-becomes-fastest-batter-to-reach-15-odi-centuries |url-status=live }}</ref> and helped Pakistan to register their highest successful run chase in ODIs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/408622-pak-vs-aus-pakistan-beat-australia-in-second-odi-to-level-series |title=Pak vs Aus: Babar Azam and co chase team's highest ODI target to level series |work=Geo TV |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331181201/https://www.geo.tv/latest/408622-pak-vs-aus-pakistan-beat-australia-in-second-odi-to-level-series |url-status=live }}</ref> In the third and decider match of the series, he scored yet another hundred which helped Pakistan chase 211 runs comfortably and win the series 2–1. This was Pakistan's first ODI series win against Australia since 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/946870-ton-up-babar-leads-pakistan-to-first-series-win-over-australia-in-20-years|title=Ton-up Babar leads Pakistan to first series win over Australia in 20 years|work=The News International|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402174807/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/946870-ton-up-babar-leads-pakistan-to-first-series-win-over-australia-in-20-years|url-status=live}}</ref> He was titled man of the match for second consecutive time in the series and also man of the series for his 276 runs with an average of 138.00.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-pakistan-2021-22-1288300/pakistan-vs-australia-3rd-odi-1288315/live-cricket-score|title=Ton-up Babar leads Pakistan to first series win over Australia in 20 years|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401225355/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-in-pakistan-2021-22-1288300/pakistan-vs-australia-3rd-odi-1288315/live-cricket-score|url-status=live}}</ref>