Babar Azam has rapidly become Pakistan cricket’s biggest superstar and most bankable player. His success on the field has translated into major financial rewards off it. According to estimates, the talented batsman has amassed a net worth of around $4 million US Dollars.

Azam’s value in the sport was evident when he was named captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams in 2019 and 2021, respectively. His ascent to the captaincy at just 26 years old highlighted his importance to Pakistani cricket.

The Lahore-born player’s net worth has skyrocketed thanks to lucrative salary contracts with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). As one of Pakistan’s elite players, Azam reportedly earns a monthly salary of PKR 850,000 from the PCB’s central contracts.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) contracts have also proven highly rewarding for Azam. As captain of the Karachi Kings franchise, he takes home a significant salary in the millions of rupees. Brand endorsements with companies like Oppo, Head & Shoulders, and Telenor add to his increasing wealth.

Azam’s consistent batting brilliance has made him hot property on the sponsorship front. In 2021, he reportedly earned over PKR 30 million just from PSL endorsements. With an average of over 45 in ODIs and 50 in T20Is, Azam is likely to keep cashing in through his performance.

While still only 27, Babar Azam has already built immense wealth for a Pakistani cricketer. His continued success as national captain and batting star will see his net worth figures continue rising. Azam is cementing his status as Pakistan’s cricket golden boy both on and off the field.

Pakistan cricket may have unearthed its next shining star in the form of young fast-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal. With a steely determination honed through early career struggles, Jamal announced himself on the world stage with scintillating performances in his debut Test series against Australia. His exploits have earned rich praise from legends as Jamal charts his course to stardom.

Hailing from Mianwali, the same hometown as Pakistan’s legendary captain Imran Khan, comparisons were inevitable for Jamal. But his initial foray into professional cricket proved an arduous journey, playing only a handful of grade-II games in two seasons. The lack of opportunities could not deter Jamal’s burning desire to don national colors.

His fortunes turned during a club tournament in Australia where Jamal finished as the leading wicket-taker and second-overall performer, earning plaudits for his raw pace and lower-order hitting. Impressed by his potential, Pakistan fast-tracked Jamal into the ‘A’ side where he continued to make rapid strides.

Jamal finally realized his Test dream during Pakistan’s grueling tour of Australia for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. Undeterred by the challenge of leading Pakistan’s pace attack on fast Aussie decks, Jamal grabbed 18 wickets at a superb average of 19.22 across 3 Tests.

But his swashbuckling 82 while batting at number 8 truly announced Jamal’s all-around brilliance against a world-class Australian attack boasting the likes of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon. With Pakistan struggling at 220/7, Jamal launched a heroic counterattack, using his strong bottom-hand grip to muscle the ball around the park.

His free-flowing 82 proved the difference between the sides, powering Pakistan to a sizeable lead as Jamal liked the spinners. By registering the highest score of his first-class career, Jamal demonstrated his steely temperament and prodigious ball-striking capabilities.

In the process, Jamal also became only the second Pakistani after the great Wasim Akram to take a five-wicket haul and score a half-century on his Test debut, underlining his limitless potential. He may have missed out in the second innings but the glimpses of brilliance were enough to send Pakistani fans into a frenzy.

Jamal’s arrival has come at a reasonable time with stalwarts like Mohammad Amir retiring. His heartening performances earned praise from the legendary Imran Khan himself, who applauded Jamal’s lion-hearted attitude. If Jamal can maintain consistency, Pakistan may have unearthed their next superstar all-rounder for years to come.

Later this month, a three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan is scheduled to begin. Shan Masood was named the new Test captain of Pakistan’s 18-man team by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the departure of Babar Azam.

From December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2023, Australia will host Pakistan for a three-match Test series. Pakistan will play a four-day warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI before to the start of the PAK vs. AUS Test series. The timings for the PAK vs. AUS Test series schedule are listed below in Indian Standard Time (IST).

Australia vs. Pakistan warm-up: Wednesday, December 6 at 5 a.m. at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

• Australia vs. Pakistan 1stTest: Thursday, December 14 at 7:50 a.m. at Perth Stadium.
• Australia vs. Pakistan: 2ndTest, Tuesday, December 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting at 5 a.m.
• 3rd test between Australia and Pakistan begins on January 3 at 5 a.m. at Sydney Cricket Ground.
• The Disney+Hotstar app and website will provide live streaming for the PAK vs. AUS Test series.

Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the Pakistani squad for the forthcoming Test match between Pakistan and Australia.

Test series between Australia and Pakistan: Head-to-head record in tests between AUS and PAK

Australia defeated Pakistan in 34 of the 69 test matches between Australia and Pakistan, while Pakistan won 15 of them. Twenty Test matches between Australia and Pakistan also ended in draws.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, who had earlier boldy claimed that Babar Azam would emerge as the standout batsman in the ICC World Cup 2023, sheds light on the unexpected turn of events. Despite his immense talent, Babar faced a dip in form both as a batsman and captain during the tournament, leading to Pakistan’s fifth-place finish and Babar subsequently stepping down as captain.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Gambhir explained the impact of captaincy on Babar’s performance, acknowledging the pressure that accompanied leading a team that didn’t meet expectations. Gambhir believes that the post-World Cup period will showcase a revitalized Babar Azam. Contrary to the recent struggles, Gambhir predicts that fans will witness a transformed Babar, free from the pressures of captaincy, displaying the true extent of his cricketing prowess.

“You’ll see the best of Babar Azam now. You will see a completely different Babar Azam. Before the World Cup, I picked Babar as the batter of the tournament. But the pressure of captaincy hampered his form with the bat. It’s because when you are the skipper and your team isn’t performing well, you can imagine how much pressure he was under,” remarked Gambhir. Moreover, he confidently foresees an era where Babar Azam, without the burden of captaincy, will unfold as the best batsman Pakistan has ever produced.

With Pakistan currently in Australia, gearing up for a Test series under the new captaincy of Shan Masood, the focus now shifts to Babar Azam’s anticipated resurgence as he aims to reclaim his status as one of the most prolific batters in the modern era.