Today should be all about celebration as Pakistan’s Babar Azam turns 31. Go online and you’ll find a flood of birthday wishes from fans, fellow cricketers, and legends from around the world paying tribute to a man whose batting has long been described as “pure silk.”
The praise is well earned. Born in Lahore, Babar isn’t just a batsman, he’s a record machine. From his key role in Pakistan’s 2017 ICC Champions Trophy win to back-to-back ICC ODI Player of the Year titles in 2021 and 2022, his numbers speak for themselves. He’s the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs and 2,500 T20I runs, a true modern great.
Currently, he’s with the national team for the first Test against South Africa, trying once again to lift the green flag with pride.
When Class Meets a Career Dip
Yet, as Babar turns 31, he faces one of the toughest periods of his career. The once-unshakeable consistency now looks fragile. Fans have not missed the fact that he’s struggled to turn solid starts into match-winning centuries, something Pakistan has long depended on.
Cricket, as always, is unforgiving. When a star falters, the scrutiny is ruthless. The same people who once celebrated his grace now dissect his every shot, looking for answers, technical or mental.
Hope for a Resurgence
Still, belief in Babar’s talent remains strong. Every great cricketer goes through a rough patch. What defines them is how they respond.
As he steps into his 31st year, Pakistan fans will be hoping this marks the beginning of a comeback, one that reminds the world why Babar Azam’s name became synonymous with class in the first place.