Babar Azam Reveals His Fab Four in Modern Cricket
Pakistan’s batting star Babar Azam has shared his personal views on the world’s top modern-day batsmen, commonly referred to as the Fab Four. In a recent interview, Babar offered his rankings across all international formats, providing insight into how one of today’s elite players judges excellence among his contemporaries.
All-Format Rankings Across International Cricket
When evaluating performances across Tests, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals combined, Babar Azam placed Virat Kohli at the top of his list. He ranked Steve Smith second, citing his consistency and adaptability in different conditions. Kane Williamson was placed third, followed by Joe Root in fourth position. According to Babar, this order reflects overall impact, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure across formats.
Babar highlighted Kohli’s dominance in run chases and his ability to deliver match-winning performances worldwide. Smith’s unconventional yet highly effective batting technique earned him second place, while Williamson’s calm approach and Root’s strong scoring record completed the list.
Test Cricket Rankings and Technical Excellence
Babar’s rankings changed when focusing exclusively on Test cricket. In the longest format of the game, he placed Steve Smith at number one, recognizing his technical strength and success in challenging conditions. Joe Root was ranked second due to his recent consistency and leadership. Virat Kohli followed in third place, with Kane Williamson ranked fourth.
This distinction reflects Babar Azam’s belief that Test cricket demands a different level of patience, technique, and mental toughness compared to limited-overs formats.
Perspective from a World-Class Batter
As one of Pakistan’s leading batsmen, Babar Azam’s opinions carry significant weight. Having competed against many of these players at the highest level, his assessment is shaped by direct experience rather than public perception. His rankings offer a professional viewpoint into how elite cricketers evaluate performance and consistency.
Continuing the Fab Four Debate
The discussion surrounding the Fab Four has long been a popular topic among cricket fans and experts. Babar Azam’s input adds a respected voice to this global debate, reinforcing the idea that greatness can be measured differently depending on format, conditions, and individual impact.