Babar Ends Drought with Record-Equalling Century

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam ended his two-year century drought in style on Friday, smashing a composed and long-awaited ton against Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The former Pakistan captain reached his 32nd international century — and 20th in ODIs — after a gap of two years, two months, and 15 days. He brought up the milestone off 115 balls, nudging Pramod Madushan for a single to spark celebrations among fans and teammates.

Babar’s previous international century came during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup match against Nepal in 2023.

Despite consistent starts and several half-centuries since then, the 31-year-old had struggled to convert his innings into triple figures, extending his drought to 83 innings across formats — a streak that had drawn him level with India’s Virat Kohli on the list of most innings without a century, led by Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya.

His 84th innings since that 2023 century, however, delivered the breakthrough.

Babar walked into the second ODI under scrutiny after managing only 29 in the series opener, where Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed him with a sharp googly. But on Friday, he displayed patience, control, and trademark elegance to return to his prolific best.

The drought-breaking hundred not only lifted his personal tally to 32 international centuries — including nine in Tests and three in T20Is — but also added to his 104 half-centuries across formats.

With this knock, Babar Azam has also matched Saeed Anwar’s long-standing record of most ODI centuries for Pakistan. While Anwar reached 20 centuries in 244 innings, Babar achieved the same milestone in just 136 innings, underscoring his remarkable consistency.

The century marks a significant return to form for Pakistan’s premier batter, raising hopes of continued brilliance as the home series progresses.