Pakistan captain Babar Azam has equalled Virat Kohli’s unwanted record for international century drought. The star batsman reached 83 innings without a three-figure score following his dismissal in the first ODI against Sri Lanka.
Babar’s struggle to score big continues to concern Pakistani cricket supporters. His last century came during the 2023 Asia Cup against Nepal, creating increasing pressure on the talented batsman.
Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga exposed technical vulnerabilities in Babar’s batting during Tuesday’s ODI. The delivery that dismissed Babar demonstrated a significant turn, beating the batsman’s defence completely.
Babar managed only 29 runs from 51 deliveries before his dismissal. His innings included moments of struggle against Sri Lanka’s spin attack, particularly against Hasaranga’s variations. The current 83-inning drought places Babar alongside Virat Kohli in this statistical category. Among Asian batsmen, only Sanath Jayasuriya recorded a longer period without an international century.
Babar Azam’s last century was so long ago, even Kohli changed hairstyles thrice since then..
Pakvssl pic.twitter.com/trRZwJGLv8
— Buntyy bagga (@bagga_buntyy) November 11, 2025Babar’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores has become increasingly noticeable. The right-handed batsman has maintained respectable averages but failed to reach the century mark across all formats.
Cricket commentators highlighted the significance of Babar’s dismissal against Hasaranga. The technical breakdown in his batting attracted immediate analysis from broadcasting experts. Social media platforms amplified reactions from the Sri Lankan coaching staff. Their visible excitement following Babar’s dismissal underscored the importance of claiming his wicket early.
Read: Salman Ali Agha Century Lifts Pakistan to 299 Against Sri Lanka in First ODI
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field in the series opener. Pakistan included Naseem Shah in their playing eleven, providing additional pace options for the home side. The match proceeded despite security concerns involving Naseem Shah’s family home. The team demonstrated professionalism by focusing on cricket amid external challenges.
