In 2024, Babar Azam once again proved his brilliance as Pakistan’s batting anchor, amassing 738 runs in 24 matches, including six half-centuries. Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the prolific batter was honored with the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap, solidifying his place among the best in the world.
Recognition for a Stellar Year
Babar Azam, at 31, was named in the prestigious ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 for his exceptional performances throughout the year. On the eve of the Champions Trophy opener between Pakistan and New Zealand, ICC shared a heartwarming video on Instagram, capturing the moment when the former skipper received his well-deserved cap.
The post was aptly captioned, “The ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap fits perfectly on Babar Azam,” celebrating his consistency and sublime stroke play that made him a standout performer for Pakistan.
Consistent Performances Throughout 2024
Babar Azam continued his role as Pakistan’s batting mainstay, starting the year with three consecutive fifties against New Zealand. His ability to perform under pressure made him an indispensable asset for the Men in Green. Often praised for his elegant stroke play and remarkable consistency, Babar played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s top-order throughout the year.
Challenges Ahead in Champions Trophy 2025
Despite his dominance in T20Is, Babar faced challenges in the ODI format during Pakistan’s preparations for the Champions Trophy. In the ODI tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa, Pakistan struggled to find momentum on their home turf. The Blackcaps exposed the defending champions twice, including a loss in the final.
Babar also faced difficulties in finding consistency, scoring just 62 runs at an average of 20.67 in three matches. As Pakistan gears up for their title defense, the team is hopeful that their star batter will regain his form on the big stage.
Pakistan’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
The Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 includes:
- Mohammad Rizwan (c)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Tayyab Tahir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Salman Ali Agha
- Usman Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
As Babar Azam prepares to lead Pakistan’s batting line-up, fans eagerly await to see if he can translate his T20I success into the ODI format and help Pakistan reclaim Champions Trophy glory.
