Babar Azam Ends Two-Year Century Drought During Second Sri Lanka ODI
🔵 A Moment Pakistan Cricket Had Been Waiting For
When Pakistan’s superstar batter Babar Azam walked out to bat in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi, there was more than just a match on the line — a narrative, a burden, and a long-awaited milestone. For over 807 days and across 83 consecutive international innings, one of the world’s most celebrated batters had not been able to convert his consistent starts into a century.
Fans talked about it. Critics highlighted it. Analysts broke it down.
But on this memorable Rawalpindi evening, Babar finally broke the drought, smashing a stellar, composed, and technically brilliant century — his 32nd international ton and 20th in ODIs.
This wasn’t just a milestone.
It was a message.
A reminder.
A statement of intent.
And above all, a moment of relief — not just for Babar, but for Pakistan cricket.
This detailed, blog explores everything: the pressure, the numbers, the innings, technical mastery, impact on Pakistan cricket, and what this means for his future.
🟢 The Weight of 807 Days: Understanding the Century Drought
Why did Babar’s drought become such a massive storyline?
Because Babar Azam is not just another batter — he is the run-machine Pakistan depends on across all formats. His consistency, elegance, and match-winning ability set sky-high expectations. When a player like him doesn’t score a hundred for two years, the cricketing world notices.
Key Points That Turned the Drought into Headlines
- Last century: September 2023 vs Nepal (Asia Cup)
- Drought duration: 807 days
- Innings without a century: 83
- Runs scored in this period: A large number of 40s, 50s, and 70s — but no ton
- Comparisons: He equaled Virat Kohli on consecutive innings without a century
- Public pressure: Fans and critics questioned his form, captaincy pressure, and mindset
- Technical scrutiny: Pundits analyzed his off-side play, strike rotation, and innings conversion rate
Despite the noise, Babar continued scoring runs — just not big runs. The frustration was mutual: fans wanted a century, and Babar wanted the world to remember that he’s still one of the best in the game.
🟡 Rawalpindi: The Perfect Stage for a Comeback Ton
Conditions That Worked in Babar’s Favour
The Rawalpindi pitch offered:
- True bounce
- Even pace
- Small margins for error for fast bowlers
- Reward for timing
Babar has always enjoyed batting in these conditions because they allow him to express his full range of strokes.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack
Sri Lanka tried:
- Early swing with Pramod Madushan
- Wrist-spin pressure from Wanindu Hasaranga
- Mid-overs control with Dhananjaya de Silva
But none of them could consistently trouble Babar after he settled.
🟣 Breakdown of His Century: A Masterclass in Controlled Batting
1️⃣ The Start — Patience and Discipline
Babar began cautiously.
- Left balls outside off
- Adjusted to the pitch pace
- Rotated strike to avoid dot-ball pressure
- Played late, under the eyes, as classical Babar does
At 20 off 30, critics might have called it slow — but Babar was building something big.
2️⃣ Middle Phase Timing, Precision, and Shot Selection
Once he reached 40, the timing switched gears.
📌 Signature strokes that stood out:
- Cover drives off length balls
- Soft hands against spin
- Flicked boundaries through midwicket
- Paddle sweeps and late cuts
This phase showcased his control over the game. Sri Lanka tried to tempt him with wider lines and slower variations, but he refused to gift his wicket.
3️⃣ The Nervous 90s Controlled aggression
Unlike earlier innings where he fell in the 70s or 80s, this time Babar:
- Did not chase wide balls
- Rotated strike
- Waited for the right delivery
Then, on 115 balls, came the moment Pakistan had waited two years for.
💥 The Century Moment A Single That Meant Everything
A simple pull shot for a single off Pramod Madushan brought up:
- His 32nd international century
- 20th ODI century
- First international ton since 2023
Babar didn’t celebrate wildly.
No jumping, no shouting.
Just a quiet raise of the bat, a grateful look at the heavens, and a smile — almost signaling:
"Finally. We’re back."
🔵 Why This Century Matters More Than His Other Tons
1️⃣ It Was a Mental Victory
This century wasn’t just about numbers. It was about:
- Handling criticism
- Battling self-doubt
- Answering those questioning his conversion rate
- Proving that class doesn’t disappear
For a world-class batter, confidence is everything.
This ton reset Babar’s mindset.
2️⃣ A Strong Message to Critics
Pundits had begun calling him:
- Out of form
- Overrated
- Struggling with pressure
- A player who can’t deliver under expectations
This century shuts down those narratives.
A big player rises when pressure is highest — and Babar did exactly that.
3️⃣ Validation of His Technique
Every stroke in this innings reminded the cricketing world:
- His balance is exceptional
- His off-side play is elite
- His wristwork is world-class
- His temperament is unmatched
This wasn’t a lucky innings — it was pure technical excellence.
4️⃣ It Sets the Tone for Pakistan’s New Era
Pakistan cricket is in a transition stage, building for major ICC tournaments. A confident Babar changes everything:
- Stability in the top order
- Better partnerships
- More runs on the board
- Higher morale in the dressing room
Pakistan needs Babar in form — and this century signals the return of their most reliable run-scorer.
🟢 Statistical Importance of This Century
Here’s what this milestone achieved statistically:
✔ 32 International Centuries
Ranked among the highest for Pakistani players.
✔ 20 ODI Centuries
One of the fastest Asian batters to reach this milestone.
✔ 104 Half-Centuries
Shows his unmatched consistency.
✔ Only 31 Years Old
Meaning he still has several peak years ahead.
✔ Broke 807-Day Gap
An emotionally significant achievement.
🟣 Comparison With the World’s Best
Babar’s century drought was often compared with Virat Kohli’s similar dip between 2019–2022. But cricket history shows:
- Even the best players hit conversion slumps
- True champions bounce back
- Form is temporary, class is permanent
Babar’s return to triple figures places him back in discussions of:
- Best ODI batsmen in the world
- Top three batters of this generation
- Modern-day greats
🟡 How This Innings Reflects His Growth as a Leader
Even though he was not captain in this series, Babar has matured:
- Better decision-making
- Improved calmness under pressure
- Less emotional reaction to criticism
- More focus on his batting
His innings showed a leader who knows:
- When to accelerate
- When to hold the innings together
- When to take responsibility
This maturity is vital for Pakistan’s future.
✅ Cricketory Insights & Analysis (Short, Powerful Section)
📌 Tactical Excellence
Babar’s innings revealed a return to calm, calculated batting. His improved footwork against pace and spin showed a technical reset that Pakistan desperately needed. He punished loose balls but avoided unnecessary risks — a sharp contrast to his dismissals in recent months.
📌 Failure of Sri Lankan Bowling Plans
Sri Lanka’s bowlers failed to maintain consistent lengths. Their plan to trap Babar outside off stump collapsed once he settled. Hasaranga’s variations lacked accuracy, and the fast bowlers lost discipline in the middle overs, giving Babar control of the scoring rate.
📌 Partnership Building Masterclass
The innings highlighted his ability to construct partnerships. He rotated strike superbly, absorbing pressure early before shifting to controlled aggression. This allowed Pakistan’s chase structure to stay intact from start to finish.
📌 Return of Psychological Dominance
For two years, bowlers attacked Babar with confidence. This innings shifts the mental battle back in his favor. Expect bowlers to go defensive again — a major advantage for Pakistan.
📌 Impact on Pakistan’s Future Strategy
- Solidifies No. 3 as Pakistan’s most stable batting position
- Provides confidence to young middle-order players
- Strengthens Pakistan’s game plan for Champions Trophy 2025
- Re-establishes Babar as the backbone of the ODI setup
🟠Impact on Pakistan’s ODI Strategy
A big Babar inning transforms Pakistan’s team template:
1️⃣ Stability at No. 3
Pakistan’s most important batting position is secure.
2️⃣ Better platform for middle order
Fakhar, Rizwan, Salman, and Iftikhar thrive when Babar anchors.
3️⃣ Pressure lifted from new players
Younger batters get time to settle.
4️⃣ Bowlers get a defendable total
Pakistan’s bowling attack always performs better with runs on board.
🟤 Fan Reaction: Relief, Pride & Celebration Across Pakistan
As soon as Babar hit that single:
- Social media exploded
- Trends like #BabarAzam, #KingIsBack, and #BabarCentury dominated
- Pakistani fans celebrated online like it was a festival
- Even neutral fans appreciated the innings
For supporters who’ve defended Babar for two years, this milestone felt personal.
🔴 Why Babar’s Form Is Critical Heading Into 2025 ICC Events
Pakistan is preparing for:
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- ICC World Test Championship matches
- T20 World Cup cycle
A peak-form Babar Azam means:
- Better team rankings
- High-quality partnerships
- Stronger batting identity
- Higher confidence in knockout matches
This innings wasn’t a one-off. It’s a start of a big revival.
🔵 Technical Analysis: What Changed in This Innings?
1️⃣ Stronger footwork
He moved early, played close to his body, and avoided loose drives.
2️⃣ Better strike rotation
Avoided dot-ball pressure that caused earlier dismissals.
3️⃣ Improved reading of spin
Used his wrists effectively, swept confidently, and didn’t attempt risky lofted shots.
4️⃣ More patience in the 70–90 range
This is where he previously threw his wicket.
This time, he stayed calm.
5️⃣ Mental clarity
No desperation. No forced strokes.
Just classical, elegant Babar.
🟢 What This Century Means for His Legacy
This innings strengthens his legacy because:
✔ Champions overcome droughts
Bounce-backs define greatness.
✔ Longevity matters
Players who can adapt through form cycles become legends.
✔ He now controls Pakistan’s batting era
After Younis, Misbah, and Hafeez — it’s Babar’s time.
✔ His numbers will only grow
With this confidence boost, more centuries are expected soon.
✅ FAQs
Q1. How long was Babar Azam’s century drought?
A: Babar went 807 days and 83 innings without scoring an international century before breaking the drought against Sri Lanka.
Q2. When was Babar Azam’s last century before this?
A: His previous century came against Nepal during the 2023 Asia Cup.
Q3. How many ODI centuries does Babar Azam have now?
A: This was his 20th ODI century in international cricket.
Q4. Why was this century so important?
A: It ended intense public pressure, restored his confidence, silenced critics, and re-established him as Pakistan’s most dependable ODI batter.
Q5. Did technical changes help Babar score this century?
A: Yes. Improved footwork, better shot selection, sharper strike rotation, and patience in the 70–90 range helped him convert this innings into a ton.
Q6. What does this innings mean for Pakistan’s future?
A: It boosts confidence ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, stabilizes the batting lineup, and sets up Pakistan’s core strategy around Babar at No. 3.
🟣 Conclusion: The King Is Back — And Pakistan Cricket Feels Alive Again
Babar Azam’s century wasn’t just a personal achievement — it was a moment of resurrection for Pakistan cricket. After 807 days of waiting, analysis, criticism, and endless debate, the star batter proved why he’s still one of world cricket’s finest.
This innings:
- Broke a burden
- Silenced critics
- Reignited fan passion
- Re-established his dominance
- Reminded the world of his class
With this milestone, Babar enters a new chapter — confident, composed, and ready to reclaim his place as one of the greatest batters of this era.
Pakistan didn’t just witness a century.
They witnessed a rebirth.
The King has returned — and the cricket world is watching.