Babar Azam Reveals His Fab Four Across All Formats

Pakistan batting star Babar Azam has shared his assessment of modern batting by ranking the famous Fab Four, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root, based on performances across all formats and in Test cricket.

In an exclusive interview with Code Sports Australia, cricket writer Daniel Cherny explored Babar’s views as a fellow international player rather than a fan, offering insight into how an elite batter judges excellence at the highest level.

When looking at performances across all formats, Babar ranked Virat Kohli as number one. The decision reflects Kohli’s strong record in white-ball cricket, especially his ability to handle pressure, manage run chases, and perform well in different conditions around the world.

Steve Smith was placed second due to his effectiveness across formats, while Kane Williamson ranked third for his consistency. Joe Root was placed fourth in the all-format list, despite his major contributions for England.

Babar’s Test-only rankings showed a clear shift in focus toward red-ball performance. In Test cricket, he selected Steve Smith as the best batter of the modern era.

Babar pointed to Smith’s consistency and ability to adjust his technique as the key reasons. Joe Root moved up to second place in the Test rankings, recognizing his strong run-scoring and leadership for England in recent years.

Virat Kohli was ranked third, while Kane Williamson was ranked fourth in the Test format.

The difference between the two rankings highlights Babar’s belief that each format should be judged on its own demands, with Test cricket remaining the toughest test of batting skill, patience, and mindset.