Babar Azam Equals Imran Khan and Wasim Akram’s Player of the Series Record
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has equaled the national record of 10 Player of the Series awards. He now shares the top spot with cricket legends Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.
The award came after Pakistan beat West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test. That win leveled the two match series 1 to 1, and gave Babar his first Player of the Series honor in Test cricket.
Only Three Pakistani Cricketers Have Reached This Mark
Just three players in Pakistan’s history have collected 10 all format Player of the Series awards. Babar Azam has now joined Imran Khan and Wasim Akram at the top of that list.
The award recognizes the player with the biggest overall impact across an entire series, not just one big innings. That makes the milestone a mark of long term consistency.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Babar Azam |
| Achievement | Equaled Pakistan’s record of 10 Player of the Series awards |
| Latest Award | West Indies vs Pakistan Test Series |
| Series Result | Drawn 1 to 1 |
| Award Shared With | Justin Greaves (West Indies) |
| Runs Scored | 193 |
| Batting Average | 96.50 |
| Highest Score | 88 |
How Pakistan Leveled the Test Series
Pakistan went into the second Test needing a strong reply after losing the opening match. The side recovered with disciplined batting and bowling to win by eight wickets.
Chasing a small target of 75, Pakistan completed the win with ease. The series finished 1 to 1, and Babar got a positive start after returning to lead the Test side in place of Shan Masood. Readers following the wider tour can also check the full breakdown of the Pakistan West Indies Test tour for more context on the squad and conditions.
Why Babar Azam Won the Award
Babar did not win the award for one standout innings. His runs came steadily across both matches.
He scored 23 in the first innings of the opening Test, added a fighting half century in the second innings despite the loss, then hit 88 in the second Test before finishing unbeaten on 24 during the winning chase.
West Indies all rounder Justin Greaves also had a strong series. He scored 111 runs and took seven wickets, with a five wicket haul in one innings. Because both players shaped the result, the award was shared between them.
Babar Azam’s Record Compared With Imran Khan and Wasim Akram
The total is the same, but the paths are different. Imran Khan won eight of his 10 awards in Test cricket, mostly through his bowling, batting, and captaincy during Pakistan’s rise as a cricket power.
Wasim Akram built his record through Tests and ODIs, often with match winning spells as one of the finest left arm fast bowlers of his era.
Babar Azam’s awards come from a different era, one that includes T20 cricket. His breakdown stands at one Test award, four in ODIs, and five in T20Is.
| Player | Total Awards | Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imran Khan | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Wasim Akram | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Babar Azam | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Waqar Younis | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
What This Means for Babar Azam’s Captaincy
The milestone arrived at an important time for Babar. He returned as Pakistan’s Test captain just before the Caribbean tour, and leading the side through a series draw after an opening loss gave his second term a steady start.
Captains are judged on more than personal runs. The way Pakistan bounced back in the second Test, with better balance in both batting and bowling, matters just as much as the numbers. There is also renewed focus on the top order after the series, an area covered in this piece on Pakistan’s opening pair heading into the West Indies Tests.
What Comes Next
Babar Azam is now one award away from becoming Pakistan’s outright leader in all format Player of the Series honors. Reaching 11 will not be simple, since Pakistan faces a packed schedule across all three formats in the coming months.
Fans looking ahead to Pakistan’s white ball future can read more in this preview of the Pakistan ODI World Cup 2027 England tour blueprint, which outlines how the squad may build toward the next major event.
According to official International Cricket Council match records, Babar Azam’s tally now sits level with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram at the top of Pakistan’s all format list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Babar Azam win the Player of the Series award against West Indies?
Babar Azam scored 193 runs in four innings at an average of 96.50 across the two Test series against West Indies. His steady batting helped Pakistan recover after losing the opening match.
Why was the Player of the Series award shared with Justin Greaves?
West Indies all rounder Justin Greaves scored 111 runs and took seven wickets, including a five wicket haul. Because both players had a major impact on the series, the panel named joint winners.
How many Player of the Series awards has Babar Azam won?
Babar Azam has now won 10 Player of the Series awards across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined.
Who holds Pakistan’s record for most Player of the Series awards?
The record is jointly held by Babar Azam, Imran Khan, and Wasim Akram, each with 10 Player of the Series awards.
Is this Babar Azam’s first Test Player of the Series award?
Yes. The West Indies series gave Babar Azam his first Player of the Series award in Test cricket, after four ODI awards and five T20I awards.
What was the result of the Pakistan vs West Indies Test series?
Pakistan won the second Test by eight wickets after losing the first, which meant the two match series ended level at 1 to 1.
