The term ‘Fab Four’ has long been linked to Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson—four batters who have dominated international cricket over the past decade.
However, with Babar Azam’s achievements, many experts and former cricketers believe the club should expand to a ‘Fab Five’ to include the Pakistani star.
Despite some inconsistent performances over the past 18 months, Babar’s overall numbers remain remarkable. He has 31 international centuries to his name but hasn’t reached the three-figure mark since May 2023.
However, Williamson remains convinced of Babar’s class and recognizes him as a top-tier batter.
“Babar Azam is certainly a part of the ‘Fab Four’ or ‘Fab Five,’ which includes some of the finest players in the game. He is a world-class batter who consistently delivers for his team,” Williamson said.
The Kiwi captain himself has been in stellar form, recently scoring an unbeaten 133 against South Africa, steering New Zealand to a comfortable chase of 305 runs in the second ODI of the ongoing Pakistan Tri-Nation Series.
His crucial 187-run partnership with Devon Conway played a significant role in the victory. Reflecting on the match, Williamson noted how pitch conditions improved under the lights, making batting easier in the second innings.
“The pitch was definitely a better surface [to bat] today. For whatever reason, I’m not sure. That’s part of the learning process—how conditions change at different times of the day. The ball came onto the bat quite nicely, though it still had some turn. It’s the kind of wicket where, if you get breakthroughs, you can apply pressure. But it was nice to build partnerships and break the back of the chase.”
Meanwhile, Babar Azam, despite his exceptional track record, has faced criticism due to his recent form. In the tri-series opener against New Zealand, he managed only 10 runs off 23 balls in Pakistan’s 78-run defeat at the Gaddafi Stadium.
However, with his reputation as one of the best in the game, calls to recognize him as part of the elite ‘Fab Five’ continue to grow.