Babar Azam, the right-handed batter and Pakistan cricket team skipper, bagged the 'ODI Cricketer of the Year' and the 'Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of 2022' on January 26, 2023.
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi, presented the trophies to Babar Azam at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
"It's hard to believe that Babar Azam even further elevated his game during 2022 as the inspirational skipper broke more individual records and ensured Pakistan's star continued to shine brightly," said the ICC.
Babar shared his photo on his Twitter account along with his ICC Awards captioned:
“You are your own magic,”
The Pakistani Icon claimed the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for a second consecutive year, the first to do this since Virat Kohli in 2017 and 2018. Before him, no one from Pakistan had received this award.
The 28-year-old also won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of 2022'. It is the second consecutive year that a Pakistani player has been awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, following Shaheen Afridi's win in 2021.
Reacting to the awards, Babar said:
"I feel humbled to have been voted as the winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and join the ranks of some of the most iconic and respected names who have previously won the biggest and most prestigious individual award in our great sport."
"I continue to look up to these players as well as champions of the past for inspiration, motivation, and improvement,” he added.
According to the ICC, Babar performed exceptionally well in 2022, scoring 2598 runs in 44 matches at an impressive average of 54.12. He hit eight centuries and 15 half-centuries in 2022 and was the only player to breach the 2000 run mark in 2022. He’s also the current No. 1 batter in men’s ODI rankings.
Babar thanked his family, friends, and fans for their support.
"As cricket is a team sport, this recognition, and achievement would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of my family, team, fans, and the institution, to all of whom I am greatly indebted and thankful."
The skipper also recorded three consecutive centuries, one of which was crucial to Pakistan's greatest run chase in history. Azam reached his hundred in just 73 balls and continued to make 114 as the hosts chased down a massive 349 to defeat Australia in Lahore in March.
“Every match I played for Pakistan has been special and memorable, but the most satisfying and accomplishing aspect for me was to compete and perform in front of my home fans against Australia, England, and New Zealand’s touring sides. Of course, reaching the finals of two major tournaments in the United Arab Emirates and Australia were also some of the highlights for me and my team, and we hope to do better this year, which is going to be equally demanding but highly rewarding,” the skipper said.
In Test cricket, he scored 1184 runs from 9 Tests - the most by any batter. In his nine matches, he accumulated 679 runs, achieving an impressive average of 84.87.
The ICC Test Team of 2022 included Babar Azam. Ben Stokes will lead the team. Azam was also named captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year for 2022. It must be noted that Azam was also captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year in 2021.
ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting believes the cricket world has yet to see the best of Babar Azam, who claimed two ICC Awards for his efforts in 2022.
ICC Awards winners are selected by a wide selection of global cricket journalists and broadcasters, along with cricket fans voting via the ICC's digital channels. The Performance Period for the awards was January 1 – December 31, 2022.
Azam will be next seen in the upcoming eighth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), starting on 13 February. He will lead a new franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, after having played for Karachi Kings for the last six seasons. Azam aims to achieve his dream of scoring a century in the PSL t20.
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