Babar Azam's enduring impact on Pakistan cricket

[Major]

His batting strike rate discussion is a separate topic, but Babar seems to have a significant influence on Pakistan cricket and its fans. Just recently, I noticed this when Imad Wasim came out to bat for Islamabad. Imad is from Islamabad, yet when he came out to bat, fans taunted him with Babar Azam chants.

Why? Because he had criticized Babar, and this was not taken lightly. Imad's own home base fans went against him. Then there is the ball boy who caught the six and got hugs and high-fives from Colin Munro.

The kid just gave an interview and tells how he takes inspiration from Babar. The fact that Babar was also a ball boy, and today he is a top player.

Hate him or criticize him, but Babar has a massive influence. He inspires young cricketers. And anyone who will unjustly criticize him won't be spared.

The criticism of his captaincy was justified, but criticism of his batting never was

 

[Mamoon]

His batting strike rate discussion is a seperate topic, but Babar seems to have big infpuence on pakistan cricket and its fans.

Just recently i notice this during when Imad Wasim came out to bat for Islamabad. Imad is from Islamabad, yet when he came out to bat, fand taunted him with Babar Azam chants.

Why? Because he had critisized Babar and this was not taken lightly. Imad's own home base fans went against him.

Than there is the ball by who caught the six and got hugs and high five from Colin Munro.
The kid just gave an interview and tells how he takes inspiration from Babar. The fact that Babar was also a ball boy and today he is a top player.


Hate him or critsize him, but Babar has massive influence. He inspires young cricketers. And anyone who will unjudtly critsize him wont be spared.


The criticism on his captaincy was justified, but critisism on his batting never was

Babar is highly influential and it is not surprising because he is the first all format world class batsman Pakistan has produced in a very, very long time.

In fact, he is the first batsman since Mohammad Yousuf made his debut in 1997-1998 that capable of doing well in both Test and ODIs and maintain 40+ averages in both formats at a high SR.

The number of centuries that he scores is also remarkable and it is the sign of a high class player. Scoring centuries is never easy even if the bowling is weak and the pitch good for batting.

Nevertheless, Babar has copped a lot of criticism especially because his hardcore fans tend to go overboard. The comparisons with Kohli has done him more harm than good because he is simply not in his league and never will be.

He cannot play the type of knocks Kohli has played and won the type of matches Kohli has won for India. For example, the innings vs Pakistan in T20 World Cup in 2022. Babar would never win Pakistan a match from that situation.

But Kohli is a great among greats and it is unfair on Babar to be forced into comparisons with him because it is not his fault he is not as good as him because he is really good in his own right.

He has been hyped a lot and promoted as Pakistan’s answer to Kohli but that forced comparisons and rivalry means that whenever he doesn’t perform as per expectations or goes through a lean patch like he has for Pakistan in the last year, he gets more criticism than perhaps he deserves.

Nonetheless, Pakistani should feel lucky and proud to have a batsman like him because he is the least talented cricket nation ever at least in terms of producing quality batsmen.

99.99% of the batsmen that come through the ranks for Pakistan are just not good enough and have severe deficiencies. Babar is better than all of them.

 

[Asad T]

Love him or hate him, he is among the best

 

[PakEngFan]

That must have been embarrassing for the wannabe superstar Imad to be mocked by his home fans. You love to see it. A shameless player being shown his aukat from his own city lol. You can't make it up.

 

[Swashbuckler]

The support he enjoys on social media is incredible. Is he the most popular Pak cricketer ever or is social media giving a misleading picture? I don't think even Shahid Afridi had this kind of following and he was the last superstar from the 90s generation. Maybe Imran Khan had in his days, but Babar's impact on Pak psyche is undeniable, he is a cultural phenomenon.

Comparisons with Kohli and negativity around that is not Babar's fault. He has never made any degrading comment or tried to compare himself with Kohli, he should not be held responsible for what his fans do. Applies to Sachin, Kohli too, fans may be toxic but the players were grounded.

Going through a rough patch but he will be back in form soon. Technically he is the most complete all format Pak batsman since Inzi.

 

[Major]

The support he enjoys on social media is incredible. Is he the most popular Pak cricketer ever or is social media giving a misleading picture? I don't think even Shahid Afridi had this kind of following and he was the last superstar from the 90s generation. Maybe Imran Khan had in his days, but Babar's impact on Pak psyche is undeniable, he is a cultural phenomenon.

Comparisons with Kohli and negativity around that is not Babar's fault. He has never made any degrading comment or tried to compare himself with Kohli, he should not be held responsible for what his fans do. Applies to Sachin, Kohli too, fans may be toxic but the players were grounded.

Going through a rough patch but he will be back in form soon. Technically he is the most complete all format Pak batsman since Inzi.

He was filling alot of seats for karachi kings, even though no one shows up.

PZ branding went over the roof once they got Babar.

Afridi I would say is still the one with the bigger influence. Babar comes second to Afridi.

Afridi could bring life to an a graveyard if he went there at night. But Babar is slowly gaining more influence

 

[hafizexpress]

I've never seen a cult following in Pakistan the likes that Babar has received. It's cringe and does no good for him. But he definitely gets hate that he doesn't deserve. Those who define him as "ZimBabar" or "minnow basher" don't truly understand his greatness. He is a one in a million batsman from Pakistan

 

[Swashbuckler]

Once you get attention and fame, you'll find more haters as well as die hard fans, especially true among emotional desis. Imran, Akram, Afridi, Babar, Sachin, Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit have the most fanatical supporters as well as rabid haters, majority haters are their own countrymen.

 

[Savak]

Babar's lack of Impact in the Asia Cup, ODI WC and his pathetic failures in Australia (the latest one where he is now a veteran on his 3rd tour) was a real downer.

Good efficient flat track bully but hasn't won enough big games for Pakistan to be celebrated to the level he is.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Babar's lack of Impact in the Asia Cup, ODI WC and his pathetic failures in Australia (the latest one where he is now a veteran on his 3rd tour) was a real downer.

Good efficient flat track bully but hasn't won enough big games for Pakistan to be celebrated to the level he is.

The pressure on Babar has been enormous, reminds me of how Sachin was pressurized by our immature fans in the 90s.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Babar Azam means the whole team for the opponents!

 

[Statpadder Inc]

Just like Imran Khan, babar is the best pakistani player of his generation, which automatically gives you superstar status.

But babar will never be as popular as Imran Khan because of factors that go beyond cricket

 

[jnaveen1980]

Babar's lack of Impact in the Asia Cup, ODI WC and his pathetic failures in Australia (the latest one where he is now a veteran on his 3rd tour) was a real downer.

Good efficient flat track bully but hasn't won enough big games for Pakistan to be celebrated to the level he is.

They are building brand for him copying Kohli style. Beneficiaries are the sponsors. So far it works. Lot of these brand building social media accounts bombard you with irrelevant filtered stats especially when their "star" doesn't do well. There is no way he can attain the superstar status that MSD or Kohli enjoyed. But within pakistan he probably has no competition although he is not exactly a charismatic guy like Imran khan. Just accumulate runs and his brand builders use it to their advantage. Every time he fails in a tournament they will throw those stats at your face. "At 29 year old 2 months 15 days nobody has done better than Babar" something like that.

 

[Rana]

No worries, it’s even more sweet when the guy goes missing for Pakistan when it truly matters

 

[Cover Drive Six]

His batting strike rate discussion is a separate topic, but Babar seems to have a significant influence on Pakistan cricket and its fans. Just recently, I noticed this when Imad Wasim came out to bat for Islamabad. Imad is from Islamabad, yet when he came out to bat, fans taunted him with Babar Azam chants.

Don't take franchise fan girl stuff seriously. A few days back, people shouted Zimbabar ! Zimbabar during Multan Sultans match.
Same thing happened in Pindi recently.

 

[Mamoon]

This PSL has been a nightmare for Imad and Amir. What a shut up call by Babar.

 

[pakistani pride]

Based on what? He is a paper tiger and when it matters has been exposed several times. The media and losers like Rameez Raja hype him to the moon and see the results. He has a pathetic record in SENA and also in ICC events he cant score runs.

 

[Mamoon]

This PSL has been a nightmare for Imad and Amir. What a shut up call by Babar.

Imad and Amir fans*

 

[msb314]

This PSL has been a nightmare for Imad and Amir. What a shut up call by Babar.

Amir hasn’t been bad - to be fair to him..

 

[Mamoon]

Amir hasn’t been bad - to be fair to him..

Where does he rank amongst the leading wicket takers?

 

[Rana]

Where does he rank amongst the leading wicket takers?

Muhammad Ali has more wickets than him

Muhammad Ali isn’t 1/10th of a T20 bowler that Amir is

 

[Mamoon]

Muhammad Ali has more wickets than him

Muhammad Ali isn’t 1/10th of a T20 bowler that Amir is

But who asked Amir to take less wickets than him?

 

[Rana]

But who asked Amir to take less wickets than him?

Who asked RVD and Roy to score less than runs than Babar, is Babar better T20 batsman than these two?

 

[Darkrai]

I like Amir too, but the guy has never been a wicket-taker. He has been in top 10 wicket-takers in PSL only once or twice in 9 Seasons.

 

[zarak]

Babar is a good player, but he has to win us something.

 

[zarak]

Who asked RVD and Roy to score less than runs than Babar, is Babar better T20 batsman than these two?

Roy has surprisingly poor numbers. RVD better than Babar.

RVD: 34 @ 129
Roy: 24 @ 137
Babar: 41 @ 129

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Great to see Babar getting back in his career best grove... Now just need the same touch in T20 WC 2024.

 

[daytrader]

I'm glad fans are fighting back for Babar. It seems in recent times Pakistanis have learnt to some what protect their heros or at least be able to recognize them. First Feb 8 for Imran Khan and now Babar, this generation does have hope.

 

[Major]

Don't take franchise fan girl stuff seriously. A few days back, people shouted Zimbabar ! Zimbabar during Multan Sultans match.
Same thing happened in Pindi recently.

that was a fake video, audio is from another video

 

[oatmeal]

He's found a new gear in his batting this PSL. He's attempting the unorthodox shots and big hits along with the regular cricketing shots. That's the perfect formula for a t20 game, a batsman who can be the anchor but still score at a very good rate.

The challenge is replicating this in international games. If he can bat like this in the t20 wc with Shaheen and Naseem bowling, Pakistan has a good chance to win

 

[hitthestump]

He's found a new gear in his batting this PSL. He's attempting the unorthodox shots and big hits along with the regular cricketing shots. That's the perfect formula for a t20 game, a batsman who can be the anchor but still score at a very good rate.

The challenge is replicating this in international games. If he can bat like this in the t20 wc with Shaheen and Naseem bowling, Pakistan has a good chance to win

As always any trophy Pakistan win will be dependent on their bowling, not batting.

 

[mominsaigol]

His batting strike rate discussion is a separate topic, but Babar seems to have a significant influence on Pakistan cricket and its fans. Just recently, I noticed this when Imad Wasim came out to bat for Islamabad. Imad is from Islamabad, yet when he came out to bat, fans taunted him with Babar Azam chants.

Why? Because he had criticized Babar, and this was not taken lightly. Imad's own home base fans went against him. Then there is the ball boy who caught the six and got hugs and high-fives from Colin Munro.

The kid just gave an interview and tells how he takes inspiration from Babar. The fact that Babar was also a ball boy, and today he is a top player.

Hate him or criticize him, but Babar has a massive influence. He inspires young cricketers. And anyone who will unjustly criticize him won't be spared.

The criticism of his captaincy was justified, but criticism of his batting never was

People like babar as a player, so much so that he gets overhyped to bradman level, regardless of the hype, he's clearly a decent a player and arguably a fine gem for Pakistan over the years.

No one liked babar as a captain. Babar the player =/= babar the captain.

As for imad waseem, some of what imad said is true and some of what imad said is the clearest example of bias and pure hate for no reason, kinda like our own pakistani fans are when it comes to babar.

However majority consensus is that babar is a great player to represent Pakistan.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Babar had a real grip over the Pakistani fan base and even the media for a very long period of time.

It actually wasn't dented too much by his captaincy.

It's surprising because he has very little charisma or star factor but has perhaps Afridi level of fan following.

It's quite the feat for a relatively uneducated lad and one who you wouldn't think is overly handsome like some of the star players of old.

 

[AAli98]

Wasim Akram is the best player to come out of sub continent the only player to make most people’s world xi.

Akram & warne would be in everyones world xi rest are debatable.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Sorry he seems to have sold a lot of fans because of his 100s and PSL performances but he goes missing 95 percent of the time when "asked to achieve a certain task to help Pakistan reach a certain point in the game".

No one likes calling anyone Zimbar or anything.
But when you consistently score centuries against weak teams and C and D grade teams of top teams and go missing against best attacks or tournament performances fall short against good teams, a question mark always arises.

Babar has not convinced me he is the top deal because whenever he comes to bat you "know Pakistan will win only if score is less than 300 in ODI or 200 in T20. Otherwise he will play his average and get out without affecting the fate of the match.

The harsh truth is Inzimam is probably still a bigger match winner for Pakistan despite Babar being idolized like Kohli.

You can gloat and celebrate all his 100s as you want vs weak attacks.

I just refuse to be attracted to this product unless it changes its approach or value.

 

[Mamoon]

Who asked RVD and Roy to score less than runs than Babar, is Babar better T20 batsman than these two?

Currently yes. Babar is a marginally better batsman than RVD although RVD is fantastic too, and Roy is past his prime and even in his prime, he was nowhere near as consistent but obviously a higher impact player thanks to his strike rate.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The only criticism Babar was facing was about his strike rate and here we go. He fixed that thing as well now but still, people jump in to bash him and find some negative stuff to brag about. Acceptance is a gem of a habit, not found in those keyboard warriors.

 

[Suleiman]

The support he enjoys on social media is incredible. Is he the most popular Pak cricketer ever or is social media giving a misleading picture? I don't think even Shahid Afridi had this kind of following and he was the last superstar from the 90s generation. Maybe Imran Khan had in his days, but Babar's impact on Pak psyche is undeniable, he is a cultural phenomenon.

Comparisons with Kohli and negativity around that is not Babar's fault. He has never made any degrading comment or tried to compare himself with Kohli, he should not be held responsible for what his fans do. Applies to Sachin, Kohli too, fans may be toxic but the players were grounded.

Going through a rough patch but he will be back in form soon. Technically he is the most complete all format Pak batsman since Inzi.

Doubt he’s the most popular Pak cricketer ever.

If social media was as big in the 2000s, or existed in the 90s and 80s then Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan would’ve been bigger names.

Before Shahid Afridi’s name triggers anyone, I’m not saying he’s some all time XI candidate, but let’s be real, he was insanely popular in Pak after his fastest ever hundred all the way up till 2011 WC, peaking at the 2009 t20 WC ofc.

His ads were everywhere. Cricket had become synonymous with his name in Pakistan all throughout the 2000s.

 

[mominsaigol]

Doubt he’s the most popular Pak cricketer ever.

If social media was as big in the 2000s, or existed in the 90s and 80s then Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan would’ve been bigger names.

Before Shahid Afridi’s name triggers anyone, I’m not saying he’s some all time XI candidate, but let’s be real, he was insanely popular in Pak after his fastest ever hundred all the way up till 2011 WC, peaking at the 2009 t20 WC ofc.

His ads were everywhere. Cricket had become synonymous with his name in Pakistan all throughout the 2000s.

Shahid afridi is more popular then babar lol, I've met dozens of people who don't follow cricket who have no clue who babar is but they know who afridi is.

Afridi was an entertainer and played like 400 matches and he was basically the face of Pakistan cricket, Theirs literally saying, not knowing who afridi is in cricket is like not knowing who Albert Einstein was in the field of science.

Babar is popular but he's no where close to afridi in popularity albeit afridi's popularity has died down in recent years but saying the word  EVER is pushing it.

Edit: Sorry bro, I thought you said babar is the most popular cricketer ever, I didn't read that you said Doubt he's the most popular, my bad.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Fake social media bots created superstar. You can say easily. They share some lame picture of Babar grinning with a title "This picture has stopped the internet".

 

[MenInG]

Fake social media bots created superstar. You can say easily. They share some lame picture of Babar grinning with a title "This picture has stopped the internet".

Bots did not create his scores.

 

[WengerOut]

Babar has been the best all format batsman from Pakistan since Yousuf Yohanna. Adulation from his home fans are justified. Atleast it is not some avg cricketer like Lala..

 

[Rana]

Currently yes. Babar is a marginally better batsman than RVD although RVD is fantastic too, and Roy is past his prime and even in his prime, he was nowhere near as consistent but obviously a higher impact player thanks to his strike rate.

Babar is not better than RVD in any format, any league and any position. Least of all, RVD isn’t padding his stats as an opener in T20.

Babar should man up like RVD and bat at 3. Not send kids like Mohammad Harris or Haseebullah to play their so that he can get his little boundaries in the powerplay with 2 fielders up

 

[Mamoon]

Babar is not better than RVD in any format, any league and any position. Least of all, RVD isn’t padding his stats as an opener in T20.

Babar should man up like RVD and bat at 3. Not send kids like Mohammad Harris or Haseebullah to play their so that he can get his little boundaries in the powerplay with 2 fielders up

Have you seen VDD’s Test record? Better than Babar my backside.

And regarding the obsession with Babar batting at 3, he has destroyed every opener in this PSL. His strike rate in the PP is the highest in the tournament but of course that doesn’t suit the narrative.

Also, it is his not his duty to make every inferior batsman to open. No one can handle the pacers in the PP better than he does.

Haris is an idiot who does something stupid every 2-3 balls and Haseebullah can rarely survive good balls. Babar sends good balls to the boundary.