Babar Azam becomes ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022

Badshah Babar is at it again. Moments after consecutively winning the ODI Cricketer of the Year award, he has now become the holder of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after being named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022. 

Babar was head and shoulders above his competition for the whole of last year. From playing match-winning innings, leading his side to series wins, playing the Asia Cup and WT20 finals, and being the only player to cross 2500 runs in the calendar year – he achieved it all. 

To better understand the marvel that Babar Azam is, no other batsman crossed 2000 runs in 2022, let alone 2500. He has been the pillar of Pakistan’s batting lineup since his debut and continues to make his mark in every format.

Currently, he is the only batsman to be in the Top 4 rankings in all formats. He is ranked 4th in T20Is, 3rd in Test cricket, and 1st in One-Day Internationals. He is also the captain of the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year and a member of the Test Team of the Year for 2022.

In the words of Simon Doull, “He is the BIG ONE.”

The Brilliance of Babar Azam Throughout the Year 2022

Many reasons can be given as to why Babar Azam became Cricketer of the Year for 2022. 

He carried his form from 2021 and hit three centuries in a row once again to become the only player in history to do so twice. Before doing it in 2022, he had done this previously in 2016. 

He was in a class of his own making 114(83) against Australia in a must-win game chasing 349. It was also the fastest hundred of his career, coming in just 73 balls.

Moving further, he stood like a wall in front of the Australian bowlers in the second Test in Karachi, making 196(425). It went down in Test history as one of the greatest 4th innings knocks and the highest score ever in the 4th innings of a Test match by a captain. 

Although Babar didn’t enjoy the best of times with the bat in T20Is, he led Pakistan with the utmost determination. Under his leadership, Pakistan went on to play the Finals of the Asia Cup Final and the ICC T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, they ended up as the runners-up both times.

Nevertheless, with the ODI World Cup lined up this year, Babar Azam will be looking to add to his Trophy tally.

Babar Azam Stats in 2022

• Matches: 44
• Innings: 52
• Runs: 2598
• Average: 54.12
• Fifties: 17
• Hundreds: 8

Undoubtedly, Babar Azam is a generational talent and the find of the decade for Pakistan. With him being just 28 at the moment, there are many things to achieve for the Pakistani maestro in years to come. 

But currently, the 2022 ICC men’s Cricketer of the Year has his eyes set on lifting the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup trophies this year.