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'Ball Boy' Babar Azam's 2007 Catch Planted The Seed For The 'King' He Is Today

Soumyajit Dutta

Babar Azam and his childhood picture [Source: @khurram_rana56/X.com]Babar Azam and his childhood picture [Source: @khurram_rana56/X.com]

In the glittering world of modern cricket, where stars are often born under the brightest lights, the rise of Babar Azam stands out as an example of unwavering dream. Long before he was crowned the batting maestro of Pakistan and drew comparisons to Virat Kohli, Babar's journey began not in the spotlight, but on the sidelines, as a ball picker at Lahore's iconic Gaddafi Stadium.

Babar Azam's First Appearance On A Cricket Field

It was 2007 when a young Babar Azam, full of passion but lacking opportunity, would make the long walk from Gulberg to the stadium. His goal wasn’t to play just yet. It was to be close to the game he loved. When South Africa toured Pakistan that year, Babar was there, not as a player, but as one of the countless young helpers ensuring the match ran smoothly.

But fate has a way of nudging future stars into the frame. During the 42nd over of the 5th ODI, a powerful shot soared toward the boundary, right where Babar was stationed. With reflexes that hinted at the greatness to come, the young ball boy pouched a stunning catch, drawing instant praise from the commentary box, “Well caught by the ball-boy, I must say he made that look easy.”

That moment, fleeting as it was, foreshadowed what was to come. Eight years later, Babar Azam would make his international debut on that very ground, no longer a boy retrieving balls, but a man ready to conquer the world stage.

The Rise Of The King!

Reflecting on his extraordinary journey, Babar once told the PCB, “My journey from being a ball picker to becoming a Pakistan batsman has been full of sacrifices. I had to work extremely hard to be where I am today. It is true when they say that hard work pays off.”

In addition to being one of the best batters of his generation from Pakistan, Babar Azam is a symbol of hope, humility, and the age-old idea that every great journey often starts with a single, modest step.