"King for a reason" - Fans react as Babar Azam wins ICC Men's ODI Player of the Year award for second straight year
Pakistan captain Babar Azam was announced as the winner of the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award on Thursday, January 26.
The right-handed batter showcased tremendous form with the bat in the last calendar year. Babar finished as the leading run-getter for Pakistan in ODIs last year, finishing with 679 runs in just nine matches at an impressive average of 84.87.
It is worth mentioning that this is the second time in a row that Babar has been adjudged the Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year by the ICC. The star batter had three centuries and five half-centuries to his name in the calendar year.
Babar also performed admirably in the other two formats. He also bagged the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year. Furthermore, he was also named captain of the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2022.
Several fans took to social media, expressing their delight at Babar winning the two prestigious awards. Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter:
Me right now
#BabarAzam𓃵
#CricTracker
@Cricketracker
#ICCAwards https://t.co/e5A0eioRaq
Dominance .... Pure dominance @babarazam258 👑
#BabarAzam𓃵 https://t.co/wrIq4XJDRG
@babarazam258 MA captain onwards and upwards👑
#BabarAzam𓃵
Babar Azam. SUPERSTAR
@babarazam258
babar azam is the cricketer of the year, he makes us so proud
@graynics @babarazam258 King for a reason
Congratulations to one of the greatest cricketers of all times Babar Azam🤗🤗🏆🏆
The Big One 👑🤍
#BabarAzam
#CricketTwitter https://t.co/HvB4gtLdN2
Presenting to you the ICC MEN'S CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 2022 , the star of our country , the greatest batter we have ever produced , he was supposed to rule this decade and he has started in the very best way - He is not here to take part he is here to take over - BABAR AZAM 👑.
Our pride, the real goat #BabarAzam𓃵
Once a king , always a king
#BabarAzam
#ICCRankings https://t.co/jgJCDVd2PW
babar azam is that guy. So happy for him. The abuse, the mental fortitude he had to go through. Well deserved babar.
Babar Baadshah!! 👑
#BabarAzam𓃵
They talk about the big 4 But at the moment.
He is the BIG 1. #BabarAzam𓃵 https://t.co/JkqQoRvUB9
YOU'VE ROCKED MY KING🫶🏻 @babarazam258
mandatory https://t.co/E13VitCBuu
Notably, Babar Azam received praise from all quarters for contributing significantly with the bat for Pakistan. The 28-year-old amassed 2598 runs in 44 matches across formats last year, averaging 54.12, including eight centuries and 15 fifties.
Babar Azam will next be seen in action during PSL 2023
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was slammed by many following the team's underwhelming performance during their home series against New Zealand.
The hosts failed to win a single match in the two-match Test series, as both fixtures ended in tame draws. To make matters worse, the Men in Green suffered an embarrassing 2-1 ODI series loss to the Kiwis.
While Babar fared well with the bat, his captaincy did come under scrutiny. He will aim to bounce back by leading Peshawar Zalmi to a championship triumph in the upcoming eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023).
@KarachiKingsARY Gear up to Support #YellowStorm as Peshawar Zalmi kicks off its @thePSLt20 Season 8 campaign on 14 Feb, 2023 ⚡️💛
🆚@KarachiKingsARY
🏟️National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi
#Zalmi #ZKingdom #ZalmiDeluxe https://t.co/qYzhix9C5o
He was traded by Karachi Kings to the Peshawar-based franchise ahead of the season in exchange for Haider Ali and Shoaib Malik. With 2413 runs under his belt, Babar is the leading run-scorer in PSL history.
The latest edition of Pakistan's marquee T20 competition is set to kick off on February 13. Multan Sultans will take on Lahore Qalandars in the opening encounter of the season.