From the bustling streets of Lahore to the international cricket arena, Babar Azam's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Known as the pride and heart of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar no longer needs an introduction in the world of sports.
Ahead of the India vs Pakistan's high-voltage drama at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, Saturday, let's take you through Babar's struggle story.
Babar's Hardships
Born on October 15, 1994 in Lahore, Babar's foray into cricket wasn't always smooth sailing. Financial constraints often hampered his dream. His father, Azam Siddiqui, was a government teacher and, despite his best efforts, couldn't always provide Babar with everything he needed. Reflecting on those challenging times, Babar remembers days when he didn't even have enough money to buy a cricket bat. It was his mother, Shabana Azam, who stepped in, selling her precious jewelry to buy her son his first cricket bat and get him enrolled in Lahore Cricket Academy.
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Ball Boy Babar
Babar's tryst with international cricket began in a rather unexpected manner. In 2007, during a Test match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, he was a ball boy. He used to walk miles to the stadium to watch stalwarts like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, and Misbah-ul-Haq in action. Their prowess on the field ignited a passion within Babar, a desire to represent his country.
Tough Routine
Recalling his journey on a YouTube channel, Babar shared his routine. "I used to start my day at 11 in the morning, and by dusk, I'd head back home. Soon after, I got selected for the under-15 team. But despite my efforts, I couldn’t leave a mark in the first three matches." But Babar's perseverance never waned. He set his eyes on an academy that groomed top-performing players and was determined to join.
Ate Samosa to save money
Amidst financial constraints, Babar often had to find innovative ways to save money. Sometimes, he walked long distances or boarded buses without a ticket, using the saved money to treat himself to local delicacies like samosas. His hard work paid off, and soon, his journey towards becoming an international cricket sensation began.
Making of Babar, The King
Babar's initiation in domestic cricket in 2010 saw him raining runs. This impressive performance secured him the captaincy for Pakistan in the under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2012. Three years after that stint, he made his way into the main Pakistan team. His ODI debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe in Lahore was memorable, where batting lower down the order, he crafted a quickfire 54 off just 60 balls, announcing his arrival in grand style.
With consistency in performance, Babar’s stature grew. After plundering runs for Pakistan for five years, in 2020, he was entrusted with the captaincy of Pakistan’s Test, ODI, and T20 teams. Since then, he has shouldered his responsibilities with grace, leading from the front.
In the ongoing 2023 World Cup, under Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan has already made a mark by defeating teams like the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. With eyes set on the trophy, Babar is now gearing up for the high-octane clash against India. A win in this World Cup would be a dream come true for him, ending Pakistan's trophy drought since their 1992 World Cup win.
Babar's stats speak for his brilliance. In 110 ODI matches, he has already amassed 5424 runs at an average of 57.09.
From being a ball boy watching his idols in action to leading the national team, Babar Azam's story is a testament to his dedication, passion, and unyielding spirit.
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