Babar Azam is the current captain of the Pakistani national cricket team and widely considered one of the best contemporary batsmen. The right-handed batsman plays all formats and has been a prolific run scorer for Pakistan over the last several years. Babar made his international debut in 2015 and has since become a mainstay in the Pakistani batting lineup across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He is acclaimed for his excellent technique and graceful stroke play. Babar has achieved multiple batting milestones and records in his young career so far, including being the fastest to score 2000 runs in T20Is. He is currently ranked as the top ODI and T20I batsman in the world. Babar continues to be the cornerstone of Pakistan's batting as a world-class performer.
Steve Smith is an Australian cricketer and former captain considered one of the best batsmen of the modern era. A prolific right-handed run scorer, he plays Tests and limited overs cricket for Australia. Smith has scored over 8,000 runs in Tests including 28 centuries thanks to his unorthodox but effective batting technique. His stellar record in the Ashes against England led to his rise as one of cricket's premier batters. As Australian captain from 2015-2018, Smith hit stratospheric peaks leading them in Tests and ODIs. But his career halted during a 2018 ball-tampering ban before he returned even better on comeback. With incredible concentration and hunger for big scores, Smith broke several batting records and top Test batting rankings through his exploits.
Two of the leading batting giants in modern cricket, Babar Azam and Steve Smith have cultivated careers warranting close statistical analysis. Azam, the graceful Pakistani run machine, displays all the strokes in the coaching manual; meanwhile the ingenious Smith has reached the pinnacle through an idiosyncratic yet mighty effective technique. Azam's classical mastery presents a stark contrast to Smith's creative wizardry when delving into the numbers. While Azam is at the forefront of Pakistan's ascent, Smith's epochal feats are etched in Australian cricket folklore. Together they have pushed run-scoring into uncharted statistical orbits in the past decade to anchor their nation's batting fortunes.
Babar Azam Career Statistics
Career Batting Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Not Outs (NO)
Runs (R)
High Score (HS)
Average (Avg.)
Balls Faced (BF)
Strike Rate (SR)
Hundreds (H)
Fifties (50x)
Fours (4s)
Sixes (6s)
Test
49
88
9
3772
196
47.75
6835
55.19
9
26
441
23
ODI
117
114
13
5729
158
56.72
6455
88.75
19
32
520
60
T20i
104
98
14
3485
122
41.49
2714
128.41
3
30
371
53
Career Bowling Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Balls (B)
Runs (R)
Wickets (W)
BBM
Average (Avg.)
Economy (Econ.)
Strike Rate (SR)
5W
10W
Test
49
8
90
42
2
1/2
21.0
2.8
45.0
0
0
ODI
117
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
T20i
104
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Steve Smith Career Statistics
Career Batting Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Not Outs (NO)
Runs (R)
High Score (HS)
Average (Avg.)
Balls Faced (BF)
Strike Rate (SR)
Hundreds (H)
Fifties (50x)
Fours (4s)
Sixes (6s)
Test
3
5
0
41
12
8.2
94
43.62
0
0
6
0
ODI
28
24
2
861
117
39.14
1319
65.28
2
8
67
0
Career Bowling Stats
Format
Matches (M)
Innings (Inn)
Balls (B)
Runs (R)
Wickets (W)
BBM
Average (Avg.)
Economy (Econ.)
Strike Rate (SR)
5W
10W
Test
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ODI
28
2
7
5
0
0/1
0.0
4.29
0.0
0
0
The Stats Battle between Babar vs Steve
Comparing their career figures promises fascinating perspective into a generational duel between contrasting batting styles and mindsets linked by staggering productivity that has lifted the bar for willow wielders worldwide.
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in IT20 - Batting Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
Runs
HS
Ave
BP
SR
200s
100s
50s
0s
4s
6s
Ct
St
Out
NO
Steve Smith
65
53
1079
90
25.69
862
125.17
0
0
5
1
94
25
40
0
42
11
Babar Azam
99
98
3485
122
41.48
2714
128.40
0
3
30
5
371
53
40
0
84
14
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in ODI - Batting Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
Runs
HS
Ave
BP
SR
200s
100s
50s
0s
4s
6s
Ct
St
Out
NO
Steve Smith
151
139
5356
164
43.54
6138
87.25
0
12
32
8
476
51
83
0
123
16
Babar Azam
116
114
5729
158
56.72
6455
88.75
0
19
32
4
520
60
49
0
101
13
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in IPL - Batting Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
Runs
HS
Ave
BP
SR
200s
100s
50s
0s
4s
6s
Ct
St
Out
NO
Steve Smith
102
93
2485
101
34.51
1940
128.09
0
1
11
1
225
60
53
0
72
21
Babar Azam
did
not
bat
since
2003
-
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in Test Matches - Batting Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
Runs
HS
Ave
BP
SR
200s
100s
50s
0s
4s
6s
Ct
St
Out
NO
Steve Smith
191
181
9320
239
58.61
17292
53.89
4
28
39
9
1027
52
315
0
159
22
Babar Azam
90
88
3772
196
47.74
6834
55.19
0
9
26
7
420
20
69
0
79
9
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in IT20 - Bowling Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
W
BBI
Ave
Eco
SR
4w
5w
10w
BBM
Overs
MO
Runs
Ext
Steve Smith
65
17
17
-
22.17
8.15
17.0
0
0
0
-
48.3
1
377
4
Babar Azam
103
1
3
-
7.33
5.50
8.0
0
0
0
-
4
0
22
0
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in ODI - Bowling Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
W
BBI
Ave
Eco
SR
4w
5w
10w
BBM
Overs
MO
Runs
Ext
Steve Smith
155
40
28
-
34.67
5.62
38.4
0
0
0
-
179.2
1
971
5
Babar Azam
116
0
0
-
-
-
-
0
0
0
-
0
0
0
0
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in IPL - Bowling Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
W
BBI
Ave
Eco
SR
4w
5w
10w
BBM
Overs
MO
Runs
Ext
Steve Smith
103
1
0
-
-
15.15
-
0
0
0
-
0.2
0
5
0
Babar Azam
did
not
bowl
since
2003
-
-
-
Babar Azam vs Steve Smith in Test Matches - Bowling Stats
Cricketer
Mat
Inns
W
BBI
Ave
Eco
SR
4w
5w
10w
BBM
Overs
MO
Runs
Ext
Steve Smith
146
61
19
-
53.05
4.13
77.1
0
0
0
-
244
27
1008
2
Babar Azam
56
9
5
-
16.60
2.86
34.8
0
0
0
-
29
5
83
0
Babar Azam Vs Steve Smith: Cricket Career Statistics Comparison
Babar Azam Vs Steve Smith: Cricket Career Statistics Comparison – Babar Azam and Steve Smith represent the cream of the crop of modern batting excellence.
This examination compares their statistical records across formats to gain perspective on two premier batsmen driving their teams. Beyond enumeration, the focus is on providing an equitable lens into their accomplishments.
Their prowess is highlighted through a wider cricketing scope to underscore legacy. Smith’s innovation forms a compelling contrast with Azam’s orthodoxy.
Together they encapsulate the sport’s continuing evolution as athleticism, technique and strategy redefine possibilities. Their numbers reveal intricacies of sustainable domination.
Article Highlights
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Babar Azam and Steve Smith both had successful early careers in their domestic circuits, showcasing technical finesse and dedication.
Both players have impressive test match records, with consistent performances, match-defining innings, and the ability to adapt to different conditions.
In One-Day Internationals, Babar Azam's elegant stroke play and Steve Smith's combination of unorthodox shots and classical technique have been key to their teams' successes.
In T20 cricket, Babar Azam's ability to anchor innings and play match-winning knocks, along with his calm captaincy, contrasts with Steve Smith's versatility, adaptability, and innovative captaincy style.
For purists, these distinguished careers warrant appreciation as their countries’ batting cornerstones and unique stylistic traits propel cricket’s advancement worldwide. Analyzed side-by-side, Smith and Azam’s statistics tell the story of generational greatness pushing boundaries.
Early Career Beginnings
The inception of Babar Azam’s and Steve Smith’s cricket careers epitomized the embryonic stages of their eventual prolific ascendancy in the world of cricket.
Azam, with a penchant for exuding technical finesse and a calm demeanor, began to carve his niche in Pakistan’s domestic circuits, showcasing a playing style characterized by elegant strokes and a robust defense.
His domestic performances were marked by consistency and an appetite for runs, which signaled his potential for international cricket.
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In parallel, Steve Smith’s initial foray into the Australian domestic scene was less about his future batting prowess and more about his leg-spin bowling.
However, his batting evolved dramatically, as did his playing style, transitioning from an unconventional technique to one of the most reliable in the Test arena. Smith’s domestic performances hinted at his latent batting talent, which would later flourish on the international stage.
Both players, through their meticulous craftsmanship and dedication, transcended the ordinary, their domestic tenures laying a strong foundation for their subsequent success.
Their playing styles, though distinct, are united by their effectiveness and have been pivotal in their rise to cricketing prominence. These early career beginnings were the crucible in which their legendary status began to take shape.
Test Match Records: Babar Azam Vs Steve Smith
Several test match records stand testament to the exceptional prowess of Babar Azam and Steve Smith in the longest format of the game. Smith, with his unconventional yet highly effective batting technique, has amassed a multitude of records that highlight his dominance in Test cricket.
Babar, on the other hand, has rapidly ascended the ranks with his stylish and consistent batting performances, marking him as one of Pakistan’s premier batsmen in the Test arena.
In assessing their impact in Test cricket, one must consider:
Total runs scored and batting averages, reflecting consistency and ability to play long innings.
Number of centuries and half-centuries, indicating the frequency of match-defining performances.
Comparison of home and away performances, offering insight into adaptability to different conditions.
Impact under pressure, such as performances in the second innings or against strong bowling attacks.
Leadership impact, analyzing how their captaincy styles have influenced team results and player performances.
Both players have shown remarkable adaptability in their batting techniques, which has been pivotal in their success across various playing conditions.
Their captaincy styles, too, have been influential, with each bringing a unique blend of tactical acumen and motivational leadership to their teams.
As we delve into their one-day international stats, the narrative of their cricketing journey unfolds further, showcasing their versatility and excellence across formats.
One-Day International Stats
In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Babar Azam and Steve Smith have compiled impressive statistics that underscore their skills in this shorter format of the game.
Babar Azam, known for his elegant stroke play and consistency, has become one of the fastest players to reach 1,000 ODI runs. His batting style, marked by a blend of technical prowess and aggression, allows him to anchor the innings while keeping the scoreboard ticking. Moreover, Azam’s captaincy style in ODIs reflects a strategic approach, often seen in his field placements and bowling changes.
Steve Smith, on the other hand, brings a distinctive batting style that combines unorthodox shots with classical technique. In ODIs, Smith’s role has often involved rebuilding the innings and accelerating towards the end, showcasing his adaptability across different situations.
His captaincy tenure, although marred by controversy, was characterized by tactical acumen and an ability to inspire performances from his team.
Both players have not only led by example with the bat but have also imprinted their captaincy styles onto their national sides. Their ODI performances continue to be a testament to their hard work, cricketing intelligence, and innate talent, making them pivotal in their respective teams’ successes in the limited-overs format.
T20 Achievements
Transitioning to the Twenty20 format, Babar Azam and Steve Smith have both carved out significant achievements, albeit with contrasting styles and roles within their teams.
In the shortest format of the game, Babar’s elegant batting style and consistent run-scoring ability have made him a cornerstone of the Pakistan batting lineup.
Meanwhile, Smith, with his unorthodox techniques and tactical acumen, has been a vital cog for Australia, though he often plays a different role in comparison to his Pakistani counterpart.
Analyzing their T20 achievements:
Babar Azam has a strikingly superior batting average in T20 Internationals, showcasing his ability to anchor innings and play match-winning knocks.
Smith, on the other hand, is known for his versatility and capacity to adapt his batting style to the situation, often accelerating in the middle overs.
As captains, their approaches delineate further; Babar’s captaincy is marked by his calm demeanor and strategic placement of fielders.
Smith’s captaincy is reflected in his innovative field settings and frequent bowling changes, aiming to outsmart the opposition.
Both players have led their teams to significant victories, though their leadership styles contrast, highlighting the diversity in successful captaincy approaches within the T20 arena.
These achievements underscore their importance to their respective teams and the impact of their distinct contributions within the vibrant sphere of T20 cricket.
Impact and Consistency
Evaluating their careers, one cannot overlook the remarkable consistency and impact Babar Azam and Steve Smith have had on the game of cricket across all formats.
Both batsmen have carved out niches through distinctive batting techniques that have become the backbone of their respective teams.
Babar, known for his fluid drives and wristy flicks, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate.
Smith, with his unconventional yet effective method, has mastered the art of accumulation and placement, often demoralizing bowlers with his sheer presence at the crease.
Delving into their leadership styles, one finds contrasting approaches that have nonetheless guided their teams to significant triumphs.
Babar’s calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his leading-by-example philosophy, has galvanized the Pakistan side, especially in white-ball cricket.
Smith, having experienced the highs and lows of captaincy, has emerged as a tactical innovator, exhibiting resilience and an ability to inspire comebacks, which is evident from Australia’s performance in tough situations.
The impact of these two cricketing stalwarts is not just limited to their batting exploits but also reflected in their ability to adapt, motivate, and set new benchmarks.
This synthesis of technical prowess and mental fortitude underscores their consistent performance and enduring influence on the sport.
What’s Your Thought on Babar Azam Vs Steve Smith Cricket Career Statistics Comparison?
In conclusion, the comparison between Babar Azam and Steve Smith reveals two prolific batsmen whose contributions to cricket are significant.
Azam’s rapid ascendancy and Smith’s resilience have left indelible marks in all formats of the game.
Their head-to-head statistical analysis showcases unique strengths: Azam’s finesse in the shorter formats and Smith’s dominance in Test cricket.
Both players continue to enhance their reputations, underlining their importance in contemporary cricket discourse through impactful performances and consistent run-scoring abilities.