Pakistan’s Babar Azam has matched an unwanted record previously held by India’s Virat Kohli, highlighting a rare dry spell in his otherwise illustrious career. The milestone occurred during the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Walking in early after the fall of Saim Ayub, Babar struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, scoring 29 runs off 51 balls, including three boundaries, before Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed him. This extended Babar’s century drought to 83 matches, equalling Virat Kohli’s record for the most innings without a hundred among modern cricketing greats.
Babar’s last century came in August 2023, whereas Virat Kohli endured a century drought from November 2019 to September 2022. The all-time leader in this category is Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who went nearly five and a half years without a century.
The list of longest century droughts includes Shivnarine Chanderpaul (78 innings) and AB de Villiers (67 innings), showing that even the best batsmen can experience extended periods without reaching the three-figure mark.
Despite Babar’s struggles, Pakistan managed to secure a narrow six-run victory over Sri Lanka, thanks to a brilliant century from Salman Ali Agha and the incisive bowling of Haris Rauf. The team’s win underscored that while individual milestones are significant, collective performance remains key to success.
Babar Azam is expected to have another chance to break his century drought in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching the Pakistan captain, hoping he can rediscover the form that once made scoring centuries almost routine.
As Pakistan looks to clinch the series, the spotlight remains firmly on Babar, a player celebrated for his technical skill and consistency, yet currently navigating one of the more challenging stretches of his career. This period serves as a reminder that even elite athletes face form slumps, and redemption is often just one match away.
