Is Babar Azam a Zimbabwe bully? Record reveals shocking details before PAK tri-series

Babar in action vs Zimbabwe [Source: AFP Photo]

The ODI series against Sri Lanka was Babar Azam’s last chance to prove his worth in the format, and the star batter finally delivered the goods in the second ODI, as he broke his century drought and smacked an ODI ton after more than 800 days and 83 innings. In the process, he also equalled Saeed Anwar’s record of becoming the Pakistan batter with the most ODI hundreds (20).

In the other two matches, Babar looked a bit fidgety, but there was no denying that his century was the highlight of the tour as Pakistan clean-swept the Lankan Lions to capture back-to-back ODI series at home. Now, Babar's focus shifts towards the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. 

Interestingly, Babar is called “Zimbabar” for his excellent international record against them, as fans believe Babar only performs against Zimbabwe, and has not done much against big opponents. In this piece, we will bust the myth that the Pakistan star only has stellar numbers against them and fails to deliver against other teams.

Babar Azam's T20I record against Zimbabwe

(Babar's overall and T20I record vs Zimbabwe)

• If the data is anything to go by, then Babar has a stellar T20I record, and he recently became the highest run-getter in the T20I format. Despite his brilliant average, Babar’s strike rate still remains an issue.
• However, if we compare his overall record with Zimbabwe's, the stats tell a glaring difference. Interestingly, against the Zimbabwe side, his T20I record dips and he is no longer the undisputed best in the business.
• The average falls to 38.66, as compared to his overall average of 39.83. Moreover, the strike rate drops by four points as against Zimbabwe, Babar strikes at a meagre 124.06.
• The data reveals that out of 4302 runs, he has only scored 232 against Zimbabwe, thus scoring only 5.39% of his total T20I runs against them.

Babar's T20I record against big nations

(Babar against top nations in the world)

• The stats decode that Babar has similar stats against almost every opponent, barring England. Against the Three Lions, he has relished his chances as the batter has 660 runs with a strike rate in excess of 140.
• He has an excellent track record against New Zealand as well, but it is to be kept in mind that a lot of the games he has played against them have come against their B team.
• However, against the likes of India, Sri Lanka, and Australia, Babar’s numbers are average, and his strike rate remains well below the 130 mark, showcasing his vulnerability against quality attacks.
• Not only Zimbabwe, but he has a mediocre record against almost all the sides, barring England, and the numbers and his strike rate tells the story.
• More than 95 percent of his runs have come against SENAI teams (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia and India), and only a handful of them have been scored against Zimbabwe.

Conclusion

Babar is hailed as Zimbabar by the fans, but after busting the myth, it is revealed that he has only scored 5.39% of his total T20I runs against them. In-fact, he has an average record against them in T20Is, and has better numbers against the likes of England and New Zealand.

This showcases that the name given to him should never exist, as the batter has poor stats against Zimbabwe, as compared to some of the bigger nations.

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