Babar Azam pays emotional tribute to retiring Ben Stokes

LONDON: The cricket world is paying tribute to one of the modern era’s greatest all-rounders after Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket, and among the most touching messages came from Pakistan star Babar Azam.

Stokes brought the curtain down on an extraordinary international career during England’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, ending a remarkable journey that spanned more than a decade and included some of cricket’s most unforgettable moments.

Soon after the announcement, Babar shared an emotional message on social media, reflecting on the respect he holds for the England legend. Posting a photograph of the two players together, the Pakistani batter praised Stokes’ fearless approach, leadership qualities, and ability to perform under pressure.

“A fearless competitor and an inspirational leader who delivered on the biggest stage, again and again. It was an honour to share the field with you. All the very best, Ben, for the next chapter,” Babar wrote in his tribute.

The message quickly attracted attention from cricket fans around the world, many of whom praised the sportsmanship and mutual respect shared by two of the game’s biggest stars.

Stokes’ retirement marks the end of one of the most influential careers in modern cricket. Since making his international debut for England in 2011 and earning his Test cap in 2013, he developed into a match-winner capable of changing games with both bat and ball.

His name became synonymous with some of England’s greatest cricketing achievements. He played a defining role in England’s dramatic triumph at the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final and was also instrumental in the team’s victory at the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Beyond his achievements in white-ball cricket, Stokes transformed England’s Test team during his captaincy, helping reshape the side’s aggressive and entertaining style of play.

The statistics behind his career are equally remarkable. Stokes retires as Test cricket’s most prolific six-hitter with 138 sixes in 122 matches. He also amassed 7,273 Test runs and claimed 252 wickets, becoming only the second player in history after Jacques Kallis to achieve the rare double of 7,000 Test runs and 250 wickets.

As tributes continue to pour in, Babar Azam’s heartfelt farewell serves as a reminder of the respect Stokes earned across the cricketing world. While his international career has come to an end, his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest all-rounders is certain to endure for generations.