Babar Azam’s PSL Career: Stats, Records, Team, Shirt Number

Babar Azam’s PSL career has been nothing short of spectacular. Season after season, he has proven why he is one of the league’s top run-scorers, with consistent performances that define class and match-winning ability. 

Babar doesn’t just score runs as an opener—he builds innings, anchors the chase, and plays with an elegance that few can match. Not just PSL, Babar Azam has shaped Pakistan’s T20 cricket and has set new standards for the young batters. His technique, shot selection, and passion for runs continue to inspire the next generation.

But how did he get here? Was it sheer luck or years of hard work? And what makes him so dominant in PSL history? Let’s dive into Babar Azam’s PSL career and see how he became one of the league’s greatest. 

Babar Azam’s PSL Team History – All the Team He Has Played for 

Babar Azam’s PSL career highlights include his time with several top franchises, where he has consistently been among the top run-scorers. His impact has remained strong from his debut season to his transition to a new team. 

Below is a simple breakdown of Babar Azam’s PSL team history over the years. 

Babar Azam’s PSL Team History Table

YearTeamKey Contributions
2016Islamabad United Appeared in limited matches during his debut PSL season.
2017 to 2022Karachi KingsBecame PSL’s leading run-scorer and helped Karachi Kings win the PSL 2020 title.
2023 to presentPeshawar ZalmiTook over captaincy and was a key batter for Zalmi in PSL 2023.

1. PSL Debut Year and First Team

Source: App X

Alt Text: Babar Azam in Islamabad United.

Babar Azam’s PSL career began when he made his PSL debut in 2016 with Islamabad United. However, he played only a few matches and did not get enough opportunities to showcase his full potential. 

Despite his limited appearances, his batting technique and calm presence stood out, and Karachi Kings signed him for the next season. This decision proved to be a turning point in Babar Azam’s PSL career.

2. Karachi Kings Era (2017-2022) – A Run Machine

Source: Cricket Pakistan

Alt Text: Babar Azam in Karachi Kings.

Joining Karachi Kings in 2017 was a game-changing move in Babar Azam’s PSL career. After playing with Karachi Kings for over six seasons, he became the most consistent batter in PSL history. 

Best Performances for Karachi Kings

  • PSL 2020: He was the tournament’s top run-scorer (473 runs), leading Karachi Kings to their first-ever PSL title. 
  • PSL 2021: Scored 554 runs and set a new record at that time for the highest runs in a PSL edition.

Memorable Innings

Throughout Babar Azam’s PSL career, he has played several match-winning innings, including: 

  • 90 vs. Peshawar Zalmi (PSL 2021, Match 13):* Babar played a match-winning knock, scoring an unbeaten 90 runs.
  • 78 vs. Islamabad United (PSL 2020, Match 28): Babar’s 78 runs were pivotal in setting a competitive total in this inning. 
  • 77 vs. Quetta Gladiators (PSL 2019, Match 15): A crucial 77-run innings that played a key role in securing victory for Karachi Kings. 

Key Partnerships

  • 176 Runs vs. Islamabad United (PSL 2021, Match 6): Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam made this incredible record, with Sharjeel scoring a century and Babar playing the anchor role. 
  • 157 Runs vs. Multan Sultans (PSL 2019, Match 10): This partnership between Babar and Liam Livingstone proved crucial in setting a high total. 
  • 151 Runs vs. Lahore Qalandars (PSL 2020, Match 26): An unbeaten stand where Babar (69 runs) and Sharjeel showed exceptional skills and led Karachi Kings to victory. 

Despite his incredible run-scoring consistency, Karachi Kings struggled with team performance in later seasons. After the 2022 edition, Babar decided to move to a new franchise to take on a fresh challenge.

3. Peshawar Zalmi (2023 – Present) – Babar Azam’s PSL Team 

Source: Dawn

Alt Text: Babar Azam in Peshawar Zalmi.

In 2023, Babar Azam’s PSL team became Peshawar Zalmi. It was also a major shift in Babar Azam’s PSL career, as he took on the responsibility of captaincy. The move was a fresh start for Babar, who wanted to lead a team and take on more responsibility. 

Peshawar Zalmi welcomed him as their star batter and captain, hoping his leadership would guide them to another PSL success.

Captaincy and Leadership in Zalmi

As Zalmi’s captain, Babar: 

  • Brought stability to the batting order with steady performance in most matches. 
  • Mentored young players like Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris. 
  • Concentrated on team performance and consistency, addressing areas where Zalmi had struggled in previous years. 
  • Scored 522 runs in PSL 2023 and 569 runs in PSL 2024. 

Memorable Innings 

  • 115 vs. Quetta Gladiators (PSL 2023, Match 25): Babar scored 115 runs off 65 balls, including 15 fours and 3 sixes. This was his final PSL century. 
  • 111 vs. Islamabad United (PSL 2024, Match 13):* In this match, Babar scored 111 runs off 63 balls, taking Peshawar Zalmi to a total of 201/5. 
  • 68 vs. Quetta Gladiators (PSL 2024, Match 1): He scored 68 off 42 deliveries, hitting four fours and four sixes. This inning made him the first player to surpass 3,000 runs in PSL history. 

Key Partnerships

  • 136 Runs vs. Lahore Qalandars (PSL 2024, Match 5): Babar Azam and Saim Ayub made a 136-run partnership and set a competitive total against Lahore Qalandars.
  • 91 Runs vs. Quetta Gladiators (PSL 2024, Match 1): The duo (Babar and Saim) provided a solid start, amassing 70 runs in the power play and a total partnership of 91 runs. 

Babar Azam’s PSL Runs: Season-Wise Performance Breakdown

Babar Azam’s PSL career has been nothing short of incredible. This is also reflected in Babar Azam’s PSL runs, where he has made contributions over the years for different franchises. Let’s look at it in detail. 

Babar Azam’s Season-Wise Performance in the PSL

The table below summarizes Babar Azam’s PSL runs and batting statistics for each PSL season up to 2024:

SeasonMatchesInningsRunsAverageStrike Rate100s50sBest Score
201622157.5088.230012
2017101029132.33115.510250
2018121140240.20122.740566
2019111133530.45115.510377
2020121147359.12124.140578
2021111155469.25132.530790*
2022101034338.11118.680290
2023111152252.20145.4015115
2024111156956.90138.2516111
90883,50445.50127.41235

Comparison with Other PSL Greats

Babar Azam’s PSL career runs are unmatched by any other batter in the PSL. Even though Babar might have a lower strike rate than a few, the average and runs are like no other. Let’s compare Babar Azam’s PSL career with other great batters. 

PlayerMatchesInningsRunsAverageStrike Rate100s50sBest Score
Babar Azam90883,50445.50127.41233115
Fakhar Zaman84842,52530.42140.27219115
Mohammad Rizwan83722,40341.43127.48120110*
Shoaib Malik91872,33633.37128.0701573
Rilee Rossouw84802,01531.98142.70210121

Babar Azam’s Highest Score in PSL – A Record-Breaking Knock

Babar Azam’s highest score in PSL was recorded on March 8, 2023, during a match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators at the Pindi Club Ground in Rawalpindi. 

In this encounter, Babar, as the captain of Peshawar Zalmi, played a scintillating innings of 115 runs off 65 balls. His knock included 15 fours and 3 sixes, which remains one of the finest knocks in Babar Azam’s PSL career. 

Match Summary and Impact

Babar’s innings were instrumental in Peshawar Zalmi posting a formidable total of 240/2 in their allotted 20 overs. He shared a remarkable opening partnership of 162 runs with Saim Ayub, who contributed a rapid 74 off 34 balls. 

However, despite the massive total, Quetta Gladiators chased down the target, thanks to an extraordinary innings by Jason Roy, who scored an unbeaten 145 runs off 63 balls. 

Comparison to Other PSL High Scores

Here’s a comparison of the highest individual scores in PSL history. 

BatterRunsBallsStrike RateFoursSixesTeamOpponentSeason
Babar Azam11565176.92153Peshawar ZalmiQuetta Gladiators2023
Jason Roy145*63230.15205Quetta GladiatorsPeshawar Zalmi2023
Colin Ingram127*59215.25128Karachi KingsQuetta Gladiators2019
Rilee Rossouw12151237.25126Multan SultansPeshawar Zalmi2023
Usman Khan12043279.06129Quetta GladiatorsMultan Sultans2023
Cameron Delport117*60195.00136Islamabad UnitedLahore Qalandars2019

Video Highlights and Social Media Reactions

There are tons of highlights and social media reactions around Babar Azam’s highest score in PSL. Fans and cricket analysts praised his technique, temperament, and ability to anchor the innings while maintaining an impressive strike rate.

This inning silenced the individuals who always criticized Babar’s strike rate in T20s. Here’s a video highlight of that classy innings: 

Embed Video Here 

Tweet #1

Tweet #2

However, there were some negative tweets as well from people saying that he can only score on a slow pitch and short boundaries. This is something many cricketers face because when there are fans, there are also haters. 

Tweet #3

Babar Azam’s PSL Stats – A Complete Performance Analysis

Babar Azam has been the most consistent batter in PSL history. His ability to score runs in all conditions has made him a dominant force in the tournament.

With over 3,500 runs, he holds multiple records, including the most fifties in PSL history. His strike rate has improved recently, showing his adaptability in modern T20 cricket. Babar Azam’s PSL stats prove why he is considered one of the best batters in the league.

Babar Azam’s PSL Career – Overall Performance

MatchesInningsRunsAverageStrike Rate100s50sBest Score
90883,50445.50127.41235115

Babar Azam’s PSL stats prove that he has been one of the most reliable batters in the league. His average of over 45 in T20 cricket is a rare achievement, which shows his ability to score runs consistently.

Fastest Fifties and Hundreds

  • Fastest Fifty: As Peshawar Zalmi’s captain, Babar Azam scored his quickest half-century off 24 balls against Multan Sultans in PSL 2023 (Match 27). He scored 73 runs off 39 balls, taking his side to a total of 242/6. However, they lost the match that day. 
  • Fastest Century: Once again, as the captain of Zalmi’s side, Babar scored his fastest 100 in 58 balls against Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2023 (Match 25). In this match, he scored a total of 115 runs (Babar Azam’s highest score in PSL) off just 64 balls but ended up on the losing side again. 

Performance Against Different Teams

Babar Azam’s PSL stats are a testament to how well he performs against different teams. His numbers show strong performance against all PSL franchises. Here’s an overview for you: 

OpponentMatchesRunsAverageStrike RateBest Score
Lahore Qalandars1761440.93120.669
Islamabad United2041848.56135.7111
Quetta Gladiators1762736.88123.4115
Peshawar Zalmi1664649.69128.490
Multan Sultans1464854.00131.790
Karachi Kings419147.75130.872

Playoff and Finals Performance

Babar has been a consistent performer in high-pressure PSL matches. He has played only one final for Karachi Kings, where he performed a match-winning 63 in the PSL 2020. It helped the franchise win its one and only PSL title. 

StageMatchesRunsAverageStrike Rate
Playoffs1036236.20112.57
Final163*63.00128.57

Babar Azam’s Captaincy in PSL – How Does He Compare to Other Captains?

Even though Babar Azam’s PSL career as a captain is still evolving, his leadership has already brought stability to Peshawar Zalmi. His captaincy journey started with Karachi Kings in 2022 before he was drafted into Peshawar Zalmi in 2023. 

However, his captaincy stats don’t look up to par, but Babar now has a chance in 2025 to make it right. Let’s just recap how he’s performed as a captain. 

Captaincy of Karachi Kings (2022)

In 2022, Babar Azam captained Karachi Kings for the first time. However, the season turned out to be a disaster for the team, as they finished last on the points table.

SeasonMatchesWinsLossesWin Percentage
2022101910%

Despite Babar Azam’s PSL runs being impressive, Karachi Kings could not find success under his leadership. The team struggled with form, injuries, and poor performances, which is why they only managed to win one game out of the 10.

Captaincy of Peshawar Zalmi (2023-2024)

For a fresh start for him and his team, Babar switched to Peshawar Zalmi. Here, his performance as a captain was significantly better as they reached the playoffs in both PSL 2023 and PSL 2024. Here’s a recap of his performance: 

SeasonMatchesWinsLossesWin Percentage
2023126650%
2024115645.5%

Captaincy Record vs. Other PSL Captains

Babar Azam’s PSL career as a captain has a win percentage of 36.36%, which is comparatively lower than that of other notable PSL captains. However, after moving to Zalmi, his win percentage has bumped to almost 50%.

Let’s compare his performance with other prominent PSL captains: 

CaptainTeamsMatchesWins LossesWin Percentage
Babar AzamKarachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi33122136.36%
Sarfaraz AhmedQuetta Gladiators80384147.50%
Shadab KhanIslamabad United55312456.36%
Imad WasimKarachi Kings51232448.97%
Mohammad RizwanMultan Sultans48321666.66%
Shaheen Shah AfridiLahore Qalandars34181554.41%

Strengths and Weaknesses as a T20 Captain

The strengths and weaknesses of Babar as a T20 captain are: 

Strengths

  • Leading by Example: Babar Azam’s PSL career runs show a consistent batting performance, often providing his team a solid foundation.
  • Calm Demeanor: His composed nature on the field helps him handle high-pressure situations without panic.

Weaknesses

  • Conservative Approach: Babar’s captaincy has been critiqued for being too cautious and potentially missing out on aggressive strategies that T20 cricket often demands.​
  • Inexperience in Tactical Decisions: There have been instances where tactical decisions, such as bowling changes or field placements, haven’t yielded the desired results.

Babar Azam’s Best PSL Innings – Memorable Performances Over the Years

Babar Azam’s PSL career is filled with remarkable innings that showcased his batting skills. Here’s an overview of some of his unforgettable performances: 

Babar’s Top 5 Knocks in PSL History

  • 115 Runs vs. Quetta Gladiators – Rawalpindi (March 8, 2023) off 63 balls only. 
  • 90 Runs vs. Multan Sultans – Karachi (February 27, 2021)* off 60 balls.
  • 90 Runs vs. Peshawar Zalmi – Karachi (February 4, 2022)* off 54 balls. 
  • 85 Runs vs. Multan Sultans – Abu Dhabi (June 10, 2021)* off 49 balls. 
  • 81 Runs vs. Islamabad United – Abu Dhabi (June 14, 2021) off 54 balls. 

Match-Winning Innings and Chases

Some match-winning innings in Babar Azam’s PSL career include: 

  • 63 Runs vs. Lahore Qalandars – PSL 2020 Final*: On November 17, 2020, Babar Azam played a masterclass, scored 63 runs off 49 days, and led the Karachi Kings to their first-ever PSL title. 
  • 90 Runs vs. Multan Sultans – February 27, 2021*: In this match, Babar scored 90 runs off 60 balls and was very important in Karachi Kings’ successful chase against Multan Sultans. 

Best Innings Under Pressure

A couple of innings that Babar played under pressure but still managed to leave a mark were: 

RunsBalls FacedOpponentDateMatch Outcome
11563Quetta GladiatorsMatch 8, 2023Victory for Quetta Gladiators
85*49Multan SultansJune 10, 2021Victory for Karachi Kings

Babar Azam’s Records in PSL – A Look at His Achievements

If we look at Babar Azam’s PSL career, we’ll see piles of records made and broken by the man himself. Here’s an overview of his notable records of Babar Azam in PSL: 

Most Runs in PSL History

As of the 2024 season, Babar Azam holds the record for the most runs in PSL history. He has amassed 3,504 runs across 90 matches with an impressive average of 45.50. His highest score in the league is 115. 

As for the highest-scoring runs in a single season, Babar Azam’s PSL career stats show that he scored 569 runs in PSL 2024 with an average of 56.90. 

Fours & Boundaries in PSL History

The total number of fours and sixes by Babar Azam over the PSL history are: 

StatisticTotal
Matches Played90
Innings Batted88
Total Runs3,504 runs
Balls Faced2,750 balls
Fours386
Sixes58
Runs from Ones, Twos, and Threes. ~ 1,612 runs
Runs from boundaries~ 1,892 runs

Most Fours and Sixes Overall by Other PSL Batters

Here is a simple comparison between Babar and other great batters in PSL history. 

PlayerTotal RunsFoursSixesHighest Score
Babar Azam3,50438658115
Fakhar Zaman2,525237104115
Asif Ali1,202709075
Kamran Akmal1,97221389107*
Shane Watson2,3361698273

Babar Azam vs Top PSL Bowlers – How Does He Perform Against the Best?

Babar Azam’s PSL career shows how well he can perform against top bowlers with adaptability and skill. Here’s a summary of his head-to-head statistics against some prominent PSL bowlers: 

Babar Azam vs. Top PSL Bowlers

BowlerBalls FacedRuns ScoredDismissalsStrike RateAverage
Shaheen Afridi40641160.0064.00
Hasan Ali50702140.0035.00
Rashid Khan30361120.0036.00
Shadab Khan25302120.0015.00
Wahab Riaz35501142.9050.00
Sohail Tanvir28403142.9013.33
Mohammad Amir45602133.3330.00
Imran Tahir20251125.0025.00

Performance Against Pacers and Spinners

Bowling TypeBalls FacedRuns ScoredStrike RateDismissalsAverage
Pacers1,800+2,500+138+20+50+
Spinners900+1,000+111+15+40+

Babar Azam’s Weaknesses Against Pacers vs. Spinners

While Babar is technically strong against fast and spin bowlers, there are certain areas where he might lack a little. Let’s see what those are. 

Against PacersAgainst Spinners
Struggles against short-pitched bouncers and mistimes pull shots. Has difficulty against skilled leg spinners like Rashid Khan. 
Vulnerable to swinging deliveries early on, especially in-dippers. Lower strike rate on slow and turning pitches.
Death over acceleration is sometimes slow and struggles against Yorkers.Occasionally gets trapped LBW against sharp-turning deliveries. 
Finds it hard to attack express pacers (140+ km/h consistently)Plays too cautiously against mystery spinners, reducing the scoring rate. 

Babar Azam’s Strengths Against Pacers vs. Spinners

The only reason why Babar Azam’s PSL career is incredible is his strengths and hard work over the years. 

Against PacersAgainst Spinners
Excellent cover drives and timing. Quick singles and rotation of strikes against spinners.
High strike rate against fast bowlers in the middle overs and powerplay.Capable of hitting inside-out shots over cover.
Strong against full-length deliveries, plays along the ground well.Plays late and with soft hands, reducing risks of edges and mishits.

Babar Azam’s International Milestones – Beyond PSL

Babar Azam’s performance is not limited to PSL, as he has played international innings that will remain in the hearts of fans for years to come. Let’s discuss a few of them: 

Babar Azam’s Century Against Australia

Source: ESPNcricinfo

Alt Text: Babar Azam’s Century against Australia.

Babar Azam’s century against Australia was scored in March 2022, during the second Test match between Pakistan and Australia at the National Stadium in Karachi. He secured a total of 196 runs in over 425 balls, with 21 fours and 1 six. 

When Babar came to bat, Pakistan was struggling after being bowled out for 148 runs only. The team had a target of 506 runs to win, and while chasing, Babar shared a 228-run stand with Abdullah Shafique (who scored 96). 

He also completed 115 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (who remained unbeaten at 104).​ Babar’s resilience ensured Pakistan batted through 171.4 overs to draw the match after being down and out in the first innings. 

Youtube Video Here

Babar Azam’s 2019 World Cup Runs

During the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Babar Azam emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer. He scored 474 runs across eight matches with an impressive average of 67.71. 

His standout performance came against New Zealand, where he scored an unbeaten 101*, which guided Pakistan to a crucial win. 

Babar Azam’s 2019 World Cup runs are a reminder of how good a batter he is and why he has hundreds and thousands of fans worldwide. 

How Babar Azam’s PSL Career Shaped His International Career

It is impossible to ignore how Babar Azam’s PSL career helped shape him into the world-class batter he is today. The league gave him a chance to improve his skills by playing against top players. He also learned how to handle pressure in tough matches. 

His strong performances in the PSL impressed the national selectors, which helped him get chosen for the Pakistan team and the world stage.

Babar Azam’s Shirt Number – What’s the Story Behind It?

For those who don’t know, Babar Azam’s shirt number is “56,” which has gathered attention and curiosity among fans. Initially, Babar Azam was assigned the number 33 jersey. However, he later transitioned to the number 56. 

In interviews, Babar mentioned that there wasn’t a particular reason behind choosing 56; it was assigned to him, and he embraced it. Over time, Babar Azam’s shirt number became an integral part of his cricketing identity.

Why Does He Wear Number 56 in PSL and International Matches?

Babar Azam consistently endorses the number 56 jersey across all formats, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international matches. This consistency builds his personal brand and makes him easily recognizable to fans worldwide.

Fan Reactions and Merchandise Popularity

Babar Azam’s shirt number 56 is now a big part of his identity. Fans love wearing shirts with his number; many buy caps and other items with 56. His number is very popular because feel a strong connection to him. For many fans, 56 represents Babar’s hard work and success in cricket. 

Babar Azam’s PSL Career – A Mark of Excellence

Babar Azam’s PSL career has been nothing short of outstanding. As the league’s all-time leading run-scorer, he has set consistent and skillful stroke play records. 

His performances have not only led his teams to victories but also shaped his international career. From match-winning knocks to record-breaking milestones, Babar continues to be the face of PSL, inspiring cricket fans across the world.

FAQs

1. Has Babar Azam won the PSL?

Babar won PSL in 2016 with Islamabad United and in 2020 with Karachi Kings as a team member. His consistent performances were important in leading Karachi Kings to their maiden PSL title but did not play any such role in Islamabad United’s win. However, as a captain, Babar is yet to win a PSL title. 

2. How did Babar Azam start his career?

Babar Azam began his professional cricket career with Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in 2010. On December 10, 2010, he made his first-class debut in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy against National Bank Limited. In the match, he scored 54 runs off 114 balls. Before this, he represented Pakistan’s Under-19 team and showcased his potential at an early age. 

3. What is the track record of Babar Azam in ODI?

As of March 2025, Babar Azam has played 128 One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 6,106 runs at an average of 55.51. He scored 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with the highest score being 158. His consistent performances have solidified his position as one of the leading batsmen in ODI cricket.

4. Did Babar Azam have a sister?

Babar Azam comes from a close-knit family in Lahore, Pakistan. While he has two known brothers, details about a sister are not publicly disclosed.

5. How much does Babar Azam earn from PSL?

Babar Azam’s earnings from the PSL have varied over the years. In the 2023 season, he was categorized under the Platinum category, earning approximately $150,000 or PKR 3.60 crore.

6. How many days is Babar Azam No. 1?

In T20i, Babar Azam remained No.1 for 1030 days, whereas in ODI, he remained at the No.1 spot for 1279 days. In both scenarios, he overtook Kholi’s record for being No.1 for 1013 and 1258 days, respectively. 

7. Who is better, Virat or Babar?

Comparing Virat Kohli and Babar Azam is subjective and often depends on personal opinions. Statistically, Virat amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, an average of 48.69 and 1 century. On the other hand, Babar made around 4,145 runs in 123 matches, averaging 41.03 and 3 centuries. 

8. Who has more fans, Virat or Babar?

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam both have massive fan bases worldwide. Kohli, having been in international cricket since 2008, has a massive global fan base. Babar Azam, emerging later, has a rapidly growing fan base, particularly in Pakistan. Each of these batters have strong support in their respective countries. 

9. Who is the king of cricket, Babar or Kohli?

The title “King of Cricket” is subjective. Virat Kohli has often been referred to as the “King” due to his prolific run-scoring and records. Babar Azam, with his elegant batting style and consistent performances, is also considered a “King” by his fans. 

10. Why is Babar Azam so famous?

Babar Azam’s PSL career is one of the reasons why he’s famous. Moreover, he became famous because, after a long time, Pakistan finally had a consistently great batter. Fans had been waiting for someone who could score runs in all formats, and Babar caught everyone’s attention with his batting strokes and runs. 


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