From Ruins To Throne

It was just another cloudy day in England when Pakistan was upholding their cannons against New Zealand in Edgbaston, fighting a war for their survival. Restricting New Zealand―the team ended up playing final of the world cup― to an average total, bowlers put a show to remember. The pitch was a battleground for batsmen, but eye-catching performance was not by a bowler but a batsman from Pakistan’s side. A soldier roaring like a hoplite and conquering the field with leaving opponent without any clue. This was the day when everyone knew that a star was born―Babar Azam presented himself to the whole world―and would cross all the limits of greatness. Babar scored a century while not getting out the whole innings. The world saw a show of perfection that day, and the chants of “Bobby King” were heard.

With an instant impact in red ball cricket, Babar started his test career as an average player, but with time he proved that he has a bat of old ages. Playing shots all over the ground and that too with absolute class, volition of him treating great bowlers of his era is ridiculous. He has made every single cricket lover, including fans and experts of game fall in love with his cover drive. His cover drive is a poem written by Faiz in prison. He decorates his every innings as if Plato would choose words for his dialogues or Van Gogh picked colors for starry nights. Babar stands on the pitch with his wide stance and shooters eyes, scoring on both on and off side of the field with the balance sweeter than a sky cyclist.
Babar has changed the trajectory of Pakistan cricket team. There was time when Pakistan batting was a symbol of a falling tree in storm. Babar has provided the team with the part it was missing. He got the opportunity to represent his country, he instantly took his chance, entering the team and suddenly becoming an example for others. He has provided a path for many to choose including children who love cricket or those who are in pursuit of their chance or to those who sit behind screens and critically analyze this beautiful game of billions.

It has been almost eight years since Babar Azam made his debut. He has played edifice number of matches with a consistency match to none. Greats of cricket have already started considering him the greatest batsman to play this beautiful game for Pakistan. His numbers in all formats are more than impressive and force everyone to appreciate his absolute consistency. Ranked no. 1 in ODI and ruling T20s, now he is the only batsman to be in top 5 rankings in all three formats. He is holding several records across all formats but breaking all the barriers to make his name in ODIs. His consistency has been compared to another great of our time Virat Kohli but, both have their own paths to greatness, and are well on track to go beyond limits.

With greatness also comes great responsibilities and this is what Babar Azam had to face. He had become the face of Pakistan cricket and as the time has proved it so many times, it was written in big books to assign captaincy to Babar Azam. What happened differently in Babar’s case is that he had to lead his team in all three formats. He has been on a perilous journey to shift gears from tests to t20 and vice versa. Had it not been his management and teammates supporting him, Babar would have plummeted in between the journey. Lucky was Babar to have Mickey Arthur, the former coach of Pakistan cricket team, as his major support who would help him a lot to mature as a player. There were enough talks that his career might crumble because of the pressure of captaincy and extra burden, but he has absorbed pressure with ease and performed despite being beleaguered.

Babar has been under immense pressure by sometimes denigrating and sometimes fair criticism. Winning ratio of team under his captaincy is not extraordinary but Pakistan has become no.1 ODI team under his captaincy. He has led the team to the semifinal and final of t20 world cup in two consecutive years. Criticism of Babar for not performing at big occasions is a question to be answered in the ongoing ODI world cup. There is one thing certain about this world cup is that it will decide what future holds for Babar Azam as a captain. But this world cup could also change his career. History has so many examples to give for the winning captains of the world cup are only known as the greats of cricket. It is up to Babar and co to decide how they want to write history this time.

Zia Ur Rehman