On January 1, 2025, Pakistan’s cricket star Babar Azam arrived at the team’s training session ahead of the second Test against South Africa with a significant change in his gear—a cricket bat by CA Sports, a renowned Sialkot-based brand with a legacy spanning 60 years.
This marks the end of his association with Gray Nicolls, the iconic English brand he partnered with in December 2020.
While changing brand partnerships is common among international athletes, speculation arose on social media suggesting that Babar’s recent dip in performance might have led to the termination of his contract with Gray Nicolls.
However, neither Babar nor the brand has issued a statement over the matter, as such contract details are typically confidential.
Performance defies speculation
The notion linking the contract change to performance issues holds little credibility when examining Babar’s recent accolades.
The former Pakistan captain was recently nominated for the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year award after leading the scoring charts in the T20I format. In ODIs, he begins 2025 as the world’s top-ranked batter, a position he has held consistently for four years.
While critics have occasionally pointed out his low strike rate and struggle against spin, his overall cricketing excellence remains indisputable, as highlighted by data.
Transition between brands
Babar Azam had been a key figure in Gray Nicolls’ promotional campaigns, even being featured in their elite “Fab Four” lineup of star players. On January 1, Gray Nicolls shared a cryptic social media post with a quote from Andrew Baines Bernard alongside Babar’s image, hinting at the end of their association.
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Additionally, Babar’s dedicated webpage on their website, which showcased his exclusive collections, has been taken down. (https://www.gray-nicolls.co.uk/collections/babar-azam-collection-2024/range_hypernova)
Meanwhile, CA Sports wasted no time celebrating their new partnership. They welcomed Babar with a social media post and launched a webpage featuring the “BA 56 King’s Edition” bat, now available for purchase.
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A new chapter
For Babar Azam, this shift marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career. With CA Sports now supporting him, the partnership underscores the potential of Pakistan’s homegrown sports manufacturing industry while reaffirming Babar’s position as one of cricket’s most respected and celebrated players.
Whether with Gray Nicolls or CA Sports, his legacy as a global cricketing icon remains firmly intact.
