Babar Azam Receives ICC ‘Team of the Year’ 2024 Cap Ahead of Champions Trophy Opener

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam was honored with his ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap just ahead of the Champions Trophy opener. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized Babar’s stellar performances in T20Is last year, where he once again proved his class with the bat.

On the eve of Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand in Karachi, the ICC shared a video on Instagram showcasing the former captain receiving his cap. The post read, “The ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 cap fits perfectly on Babar Azam.”

The 31-year-old was named in the ICC’s star-studded T20I Team of the Year last month, a reflection of his impressive run in the format. In 2024, Babar amassed 738 runs in 24 matches, registering six half-centuries and maintaining his reputation as one of the most consistent batters in world cricket.

Babar began 2024 with three consecutive fifties against New Zealand and remained Pakistan’s batting mainstay throughout the year. His ability to perform under pressure made him one of the standout players in T20I cricket. However, as the Champions Trophy shifts the focus to ODIs, the Pakistani team will be counting on him to replicate that success in the 50-over format.

Pakistan’s preparations for the tournament were less than ideal, as they struggled in a tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa on home soil. The defending champions suffered defeats at the hands of the Blackcaps in both their opening match and the final, raising concerns about their form ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Babar himself had a disappointing tri-series, scoring only 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.67. As Pakistan aims to defend its 2017 Champions Trophy title, the team will be hoping that their premier batter finds his rhythm and delivers match-winning performances in the high-stakes tournament.

Pakistan: 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.