Mohammad Babar Azam was born on October 15, 1994, in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, into a cricket-loving family. His father, Azam Siddique, played first-class cricket. His cousins—Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal—had already played for Pakistan. Their success inspired young Babar, who dreamed of wearing the Pakistan jersey since childhood.
He began with street cricket in Lahore’s narrow lanes, where he developed strong timing and nimble footwork early on. Seeing his potential, Babar’s family enrolled him at Lahore Grammar School to receive formal coaching from experienced trainers. He would often ride his cycle long distances to attend cricket camps and coaching sessions across the city.
By age 15, Babar was selected for the Pakistan U-15 team and later led the U-19 side in the 2012 World Cup. In that tournament, he emerged as a technically gifted and mentally strong batsman, earning national attention. These early performances helped him enter domestic first-class cricket, marking the start of his professional journey. His discipline, consistency, and strong family backing laid the foundation for his rapid rise in the national setup.
Babar is known for his calm demeanor, discipline, and elegant batting. He combines technical excellence with a grounded mindset. He often says he focuses on “balance, patience, and toeing the right line.” His training includes early-morning nets, strict fitness routines, and a nutritious diet.
Off-field, he lives moderately—owns a modern home in Lahore and several high-end vehicles, including an Audi A5 and a Yamaha R1, yet he remains humble. Social media posts show him with family and at charity events, reflecting connection to heritage and community.
Babar Azam cherishes privacy in his personal life and keeps a low profile when it comes to matters off the field. He maintains a strong bond with his family—especially his father, Azam Siddique, who has been a constant pillar of support throughout his journey. Babar often credits his father’s sacrifices and guidance as key influences in shaping his professional career. On several occasions, he has publicly acknowledged how his father played a major role in motivating him during tough phases of his life.
Though reserved by nature, Babar occasionally shares glimpses of his personal life on social media, such as birthday celebrations, family gatherings, or religious events like Eid. These moments reflect the deep-rooted values and cultural traditions he upholds. Despite his growing fame, he remains grounded and loyal to his roots in Lahore.
His focus appears to remain firmly on his cricketing commitments and personal growth. In 2023, Babar stepped down from Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy, citing the need to “spend more time with family and recalibrate,” underlining the importance he places on maintaining work-life balance.
After impressive age-group performances, Babar debuted in first-class cricket for Zarai Taraqiati Bank in 2010–11. His List-A and T20 domestic performances soon followed with teams like Islamabad United and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.
In the 2010 U‑19 World Cup and again in 2012 as captain, he scored important runs and led Pakistan’s batting in tournaments. These feats earned him domestic consistency, and by 2015 he was firmly on selectors’ radars.
ODI debut: May 31, 2015, vs Zimbabwe at Lahore.
T20I debut: September 7, 2016, vs England at Manchester .
Test debut: October 13, 2016, vs West Indies in Dubai.
Babar Azam starred in PSL (with Islamabad United and Karachi Kings), CPL, and stints in UK domestic cricket with Somerset . In PSL, he has two centuries and a strike rate around 127 . His franchise performances help strengthen his credentials in T20s globally.
He captained Pakistan across formats—ODIs, Tests, and T20Is—leading ICC’s ODI Team of the Year in 2021 and 2022. He stepped down from white-ball captaincy twice: in late 2023 and again in March 2024, to prioritize performance and family time.
