Babar Azam: Career Stats, Records, and Comparisons with Kohli

Babar Azam carries the weight of Pakistan’s cricket hopes with every innings. His cover drive defines him, but the numbers—32 international centuries and over 15,000 runs—only tell part of the story.

Full name: Mohammad Babar Azam ·
Born: 15 October 1994, Lahore, Pakistan ·
Role: Top-order batter ·
ODI centuries: 19 ·
T20I centuries: 3 ·
Test centuries: 9

Six key details about Babar Azam, one takeaway: the numbers are consistent, but the context around them keeps shifting.

Which is better, Kohli or Babar?

This question dominates cricket forums and social media. The short answer: both are elite, but the comparison depends on format and era.

Batting averages in ODI and T20I

Babar Azam averages 56.4 in ODIs and 44.3 in T20Is, while Virat Kohli averages 57.3 in ODIs and 52.7 in T20Is (SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)). The gap is narrow.

• Babar leads the ICC T20I batting rankings as of early 2024 (Criczop (cricket stats site))
• Kohli has more ODI centuries (46 vs. Babar’s 19) (Cricketman2 (comparison site))

The implication: format preference determines who looks superior, not talent.

ICC ranking positions

Babar Azam spent 2021–2023 as the No.1 ODI batsman. Kohli has been No.1 across formats in the past. Both have held the top spot in different phases.

Centuries and match-winning innings

Kohli has 85 international centuries to Babar’s 32 (SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)). But Babar’s conversion rate in ODIs is among the best in history.

Two players, one pattern: Kohli has the volume, Babar has the rate. The trade-off is longevity vs. current peak.

Is Babar Azam the best batsman in the world?

Headlines often anoint him as a member of the ‘Fab Four’. The evidence supports the claim—with caveats.

Current ranking in ICC ODI batting

Babar Azam was ranked #1 in ODIs for multiple intervals between 2021 and 2023 (Criczop (cricket stats site)). He also leads the T20I rankings as of early 2024.

Consistency across formats

He averages 50+ in ODIs since 2019 and 44+ in T20Is. His Test average hovers around 43, which is good but not elite by historical standards.

Peer and expert endorsements

Ricky Ponting and Wasim Akram have both placed Babar among the world’s best (SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)).

The catch: he’s arguably the most complete white-ball batsman active, but the Test resume still trails the all-time greats.

Why was Babar Azam dropped?

In November 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dropped Babar Azam from the T20I squad for the New Zealand series. The move shocked fans.

Captaincy resignation and squad changes

After the 2023 World Cup, Babar resigned as captain in all formats. The PCB selection committee cited poor form during the World Cup where Babar scored 468 runs at an average of 46.8 (SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)).

Performance in 2023 World Cup

Babar was Pakistan’s top scorer in the tournament, but the team failed to reach the semi-finals. The board decided to “rest” him for the T20I series.

The pattern: the “dropping” was more a rotation move than a demotion. Babar remains the first-choice batsman for ODIs and Tests.

What did Virat Kohli say about Babar Azam?

Kohli has consistently praised Babar in public, defusing the rivalry narrative.

Public statements of respect

In a 2022 press conference, Kohli called Babar a “class player” and said he enjoys watching his cover drive (SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)).

Kohli acknowledging Babar’s talent

Kohli has stated that comparisons are inevitable but that Babar has earned his place among the best.

Comparisons in the media

Media outlets often pit them against each other, but both players have shown mutual respect. No personal rivalry exists.

The implication: two competitors who respect each other, with the media creating more heat than the players themselves.

Three stats, one contrast: Babar’s current form vs. Kohli’s career volume.

Sources: SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site), TheCricScope (cricket statistics site)

“Virat Kohli has described Babar Azam as a world-class batter who deserves his place among the best.”

— SportsAdda Asia (cricket comparison site)

“Wasim Akram has compared Babar Azam to the Fab Four of world cricket, noting his temperament and technique.”

— Criczop (cricket stats site)

Babar Azam’s career is not just about numbers—it’s about the weight of being Pakistan’s batting anchor. For the Pakistan Cricket Board, the choice is clear: back him as the long-term batting cornerstone, or risk losing the one player who can carry the lineup through transition. The next 12 months will decide whether he remains the face of Pakistan cricket or becomes a footnote in the Kohli comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Michael Vaughan: Where He Lives, Net Worth, and Career Now · Jake Weatherald: Biography, Age, Test Career & Dropped