Current ICC Test rank
6
Behind Root, Williamson, Brook, Head, and Labuschagne.
Cricket • Rankings
Is Babar Azam the Best Batsman in the World?
ICC rankings have placed Babar Azam at No. 1 in ODIs and T20Is. But being 'the best' means different things to different fans.
Babar Azam is arguably the best ODI and T20I batsman in the world based on ICC rankings, but in Test cricket, players like Joe Root and Kane Williamson have stronger claims.
Quick Answer
Babar Azam is the best ODI batsman in the world right now. In T20Is, he is top 3. In Tests, he is not the best. Overall, he belongs in the elite Fab Four conversation but is not undisputed No. 1.
Current ICC ODI rank
1
Held No. 1 spot for over 2 years cumulatively.
Verdict
Partly
Is Babar Azam the best batsman in the world?
Yes in ODIs. No in Tests. Overall top 3-5 in world cricket, but not undisputed No. 1 across all formats.
What supports this verdict
- The strongest evidence supports the core of the answer.
- Yes in ODIs. No in Tests. Overall top 3-5 in world cricket, but not undisputed No. 1 across all formats.
What weakens this verdict
- The claim is not official or absolute.
- Counter-evidence prevents a clean yes or no verdict.
Breaking it down by format
In ODIs, Babar has the strongest case. He holds the No. 1 ICC ranking, averages 56+, and reached 5,000 runs faster than almost anyone. No active batter has been more consistent in 50-over cricket since 2019.
In T20Is, Babar is elite but not clearly No. 1. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammad Rizwan, and Phil Salt have higher strike rates. Babar's average is excellent but his strike rate (around 130) lags behind power hitters.
In Tests, Babar is not the best. Joe Root and Kane Williamson have more runs, more centuries, and better away records. Babar averages 45 in Tests, good but below the 50+ standard of all-time greats.
Analyst Comparison
The Fab Four: Who is best right now?
Babar vs Kohli vs Root vs Williamson across all formats (last 3 years):
| Player | ODI Avg | Test Avg | T20I SR | ICC Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 56.2 | 45.8 | 132 | 0 |
| Virat Kohli | 54.5 | 49.3 | 137 | 1 (2011 WC) |
| Joe Root | 48.9 | 50.4 | 126 | 1 (2019 WC) |
| Kane Williamson | 47.5 | 54.5 | 121 | 1 (2021 WTC) |
Evidence Scorecard
What evidence determines the best batsman?
Here is what the data shows:
For
2
points
Against
3
points
✓FOR
Babar has been No. 1 in ICC ODI rankings for longer than any active player
Statistics
×AGAINST
Joe Root has more Test centuries (30+) than Babar (9) since 2021
Statistics
×AGAINST
Babar has no ICC tournament win as captain or player
Tournament Record
×AGAINST
Babar averages 35 in SENA countries (Tests), compared to 55+ at home
Match Performance
✓FOR
Babar's white ball consistency is unmatched since 2019
Recent Form
How to measure
What does 'best' actually mean?
Some fans mean best ODI batter. Some mean best across all formats. Some mean best in big tournaments. Babar wins in some definitions and loses in others. The answer depends on your criteria.
The missing trophy
One reason some hesitate to call Babar the best is his lack of ICC tournament success. Virat Kohli won the 2011 World Cup. Joe Root won the 2019 World Cup. Kane Williamson won the 2021 WTC.
Babar has reached one final (2022 T20 World Cup) but lost to England. Until he wins a major ICC trophy, some fans will rank others above him regardless of rankings.
This may be unfair to Babar, but winning matters when debating 'the best.'
Where does Babar stand right now?
2026Babar is top 3 in the world overall. He is the best ODI batter but not the best Test batter.
- No. 1 in ICC ODI rankings.
- Top 5 in ICC Test rankings.
- Top 3 in ICC T20I rankings.
- Lacks an ICC trophy compared to Kohli, Root, and Williamson.
Verdict
The bottom line
Babar Azam is the best ODI batsman in the world. He is not the best Test batsman (Root and Williamson are better). Overall, he belongs in the global top 3 but claiming he is undisputed No. 1 ignores his Test and trophy weaknesses.
FAQs
Who is better than Babar Azam in Tests?
Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have better Test records. Babar averages 45; they average 50+.
Is Babar better than Virat Kohli right now?
In ODIs, yes. Across all formats, it is close. Kohli's overall career is still stronger.
Will Babar be considered an all-time great?
If he maintains form for 5 more years and wins an ICC trophy, yes. Without a trophy, he will be remembered as elite but not legendary.
Why is Babar No. 1 in ICC rankings if he is not the best?
ICC rankings measure recent form. Babar has been very consistent. But rankings do not measure away performance or tournament wins.
More FAQs
Who is better than Babar Azam in Tests?
Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have better Test records.
Related Questions