Is Babar Azam Losing His “King” Status in Cricket?

Once hailed as the “king” of cricket, Babar Azam dazzled fans with his meteoric rise since his debut in 2016. Consistent centuries and match-winning performances cemented his reputation as a batting maestro. However, recent performances and a series of underwhelming showings in major tournaments have led many to question whether the “king” title was bestowed prematurely.

Early Success and Captaincy Boost

Babar’s rise to fame was swift, with his consistent run-scoring and ability to anchor Pakistan’s innings. His elevation to captaincy in 2019 seemed to ignite his drive, leading to even more prolific batting performances. Yet, critics argue that many of his successes came against lower-ranked teams, and his statistics against top-tier opponents reveal a different story.

Declining Century Count

Babar’s most recent international century in ODIs came against Nepal in 2023. His last Test century dates back to 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi, and his last T20I century was in April 2023 against a weakened New Zealand side. His lack of centuries against elite teams and in challenging conditions is a growing concern.

In Test cricket, his current average stands at 42.77—a decent number but one that falls short of the expectations for someone touted as a generational talent. Notably, Babar has managed just one Test century in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), scored against Australia in 2019.

Struggles in ICC Events

Babar’s performance in major ICC events has been underwhelming:

• 2024 World Cup: Scored 122 runs at a strike rate of 101.66.
• 2023 ODI World Cup: Managed 320 runs at an average of 40, despite batting-friendly conditions.
• 2023 Asia Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup: His contributions failed to make an impact, raising concerns about his ability to deliver under pressure.

While he shone in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2019 ODI World Cup, his performances in subsequent tournaments failed to meet expectations, leaving fans disappointed.

Public Rejection of the “King” Title

In 2021, Babar proudly embraced the “king” title with the hashtag #KINGBABAR. However, with mounting criticism, he has recently asked fans to stop calling him the “king,” signaling a shift in his public stance.

A Great, but Not the Greatest?

Although Babar remains one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers of this generation, his numbers fall short compared to legends like Younis Khan, whose Test performances set a high benchmark. Babar’s inability to consistently dominate in SENA countries and his struggles in high-stakes matches have cast a shadow over his legacy.

Final Thoughts: Overhyped or Mismanaged?

Was Babar Azam overhyped too early, or has Pakistan’s cricketing system failed to help him reach his true potential? While his talent is undeniable, the weight of expectations and the “king” narrative may have done more harm than good.

Babar Azam remains a vital player for Pakistan, but his legacy will depend on how he bounces back from this challenging phase in his career. The future will tell whether he can reclaim his throne or if his reign was fleeting.