Introduction – The Crown or the Cloud?
Babar Azam has been hailed as the crown jewel of Pakistan cricket. Often compared to modern greats like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Steve Smith, he has amassed a massive fan base and an equally large number of critics. Is Babar Azam overrated, or is he truly the modern-day batting maestro many claim him to be?
The debate over his consistency, impact in crucial matches, and comparisons with legends like Virat Kohli has made “Is Babar Azam overrated” a burning question in the cricketing world. While his stats reflect brilliance, critics argue that numbers alone don’t tell the full story. In this article, we analyze his performances across formats, his impact against top-tier teams, and whether the praise he receives is genuinely deserved or overstated.
The Numbers Behind the Name – Babar Azam’s Career Stats
H3: Career Averages in All Formats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Strike Rate |
| Test | 56 | 4456 | 47.3 | 9 | 54.1 |
| ODI | 117 | 5785 | 56.5 | 19 | 88.9 |
| T20I | 104 | 3645 | 41 | 3 | 129.4 |
- ODI consistency is undeniable.
- But in Tests, his average has dropped significantly in matches against top bowling attacks.
- In T20s, critics argue that his strike rate is outdated for modern standards.
These stats raise a crucial question: Is Babar Azam overrated because of numbers padded against weaker sides?
Flat-Track Bully or Modern Maestro?
Averages Against Top Teams (Tests & ODIs)
| Opponent | Matches (Test) | Average (Test) | Matches (ODI) | Average (ODI) |
| Australia | 7 | 26.3 | 5 | 40.6 |
| India | 3 | 25.2 | 5 | 31 |
| South Africa | 6 | 29.9 | 7 | 36.5 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 98 | 6 | 108.5 |
| West Indies | 4 | 78.4 | 6 | 96.2 |
🔍 Analysis: When it comes to elite-level bowling attacks, Babar’s averages take a significant hit. The numbers spike when he faces lower-ranked teams, creating a pattern critics call “flat-track bullying.”
The Kohli vs. Babar Debate – Are We Comparing Apples to Oranges?
Key Milestones Comparison (As of 2025)
| Player | ODI Runs | ODI Avg | 100s | Test Avg | T20 SR |
| Virat Kohli | 13898 | 57.3 | 50 | 49.3 | 138 |
| Babar Azam | 5785 | 56.5 | 19 | 47.3 | 129.4 |
- While Babar Azam fans argue he’s consistent, the volume of matches and big-match performances clearly tilt the scale in Kohli’s favor.
Kohli’s pressure-handling and record in ICC tournaments remains unmatched, whereas Babar struggles in knockouts.
Latest Cricket Data (as of mid‑2025)
- According to ESPNcricinfo–sourced Wikipedia pages:
- Babar Azam has played 59 Tests (4,235 runs @ 42.77 avg), 131 ODIs (6,235 runs @ 55.17 avg), 128 T20Is (4,223 runs @ 39.83 avg)
- Virat Kohli, now retired from Tests and T20Is (as of May 2025), finished his career after becoming the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs and captaining India to the 2025 Champions Trophy victory
Direct Comparison Across Formats
- A recent stat comparison from Howzat reaffirms Virat’s edge:
- In Tests: Kohli 9,040 runs @ 47.83 vs Babar ~4,000 @ 43.9.
- In ODIs: Kohli ~14,000 runs, ~58.2 avg, 51 centuries vs Babar ~5,800, ~56.95 avg, 19 centuries.
- In T20Is: Kohli marginally ahead in runs (4,188 vs 4,145), average and strike rate
The Captaincy Burden – A Downfall in Performance?
Pre vs. Post Captaincy Stats
| Role | Matches | Batting Avg (All Formats) |
| Before Captaincy | 98 | 54.2 |
| After Captaincy | 89 | 45.3 |
Since becoming captain, Babar’s numbers noticeably declined. Many argue that his batting fluency and fearless approach vanished, replaced by a cautious, responsibility-ridden style.
Strike Rate Crisis in Modern T20
Babar’s T20I strike rate of 129.4 is well below the modern standard for top-order batters. In contrast:
| Player | Strike Rate |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 172.7 |
| Jos Buttler | 148 |
| Glenn Phillips | 150.2 |
- In T20 leagues like the PSL, Babar’s anchoring style is under heavy scrutiny.
- Critics argue that he slows down innings after powerplays and often kills momentum, even while scoring fifties.
So again: Is Babar Azam overrated in T20s due to personal stats over team impact?
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Lack of Match-Winning Performances in ICC Tournaments
Babar Azam has played in multiple ICC events (Champions Trophy, T20 World Cups, ODI World Cups) but has minimal impact in high-pressure games.
H4: Knockout Performance Overview
| Event | Stage | Runs Scored | Result |
| T20 WC 2021 | Semi Final | 39 (34) | Lost |
| T20 WC 2022 | Final | 32 (28) | Lost |
| CT 2017 Final | Not Out | 46 (52) | Win |
| ODI WC 2023 | Group Stage | Avg: 36.5 | Exit |
Babar has not won Pakistan matches single-handedly in crucial games. For someone labeled a generational talent, the lack of big-match temperament is a fair reason critics call him overhyped.
Conclusion – A Good Player, But Not a Great Yet
Let’s settle it clearly:
Is Babar Azam Overrated?
Yes—in context of how the media, fans, and certain cricket boards project him as an all-format GOAT.
But also No—if we see him as a very solid batter still maturing and evolving.
Key Takeaways:
- Babar’s numbers against top-tier teams are average.
- His captaincy damaged his natural flair.
- In T20s, his approach is outdated.
- Big-match performance is missing from his resume.
Unless Babar delivers in ICC knockouts, improves his T20 aggression, and dominates top opposition, calling him an all-time great is premature—and yes, overrated.
