Babar Azam Equals Another Virat Kohli Record – Century Drought Stretches to 83 Innings
The comparisons between Pakistan’s Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli have long dominated modern cricket discussions. Both batting superstars have broken records, inspired nations, and redefined consistency in world cricket. But this time, the two elite players share a record they would rather not — an unwanted century drought.
During the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, Babar Azam’s 29-run knock marked his 83rd consecutive innings without a century, equalling Virat Kohli’s previous drought between November 2019 and September 2022.
Babar Azam Equals Virat Kohli’s Century Drought Record
In the opening ODI, Pakistan batted first after winning the toss. Babar came to the crease early following the dismissal of Saim Ayub, but never appeared fully comfortable against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack.
Facing 51 balls, Babar scored 29 runs, including three boundaries, before being bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. The dismissal meant that his century-less streak reached 83 innings, equalling Kohli’s mark — an unusual similarity between two of the most technically gifted batters of the modern game.
Babar’s last international century came in August 2023, while Kohli ended his drought after nearly three years in September 2022.
“It’s rare for someone of Babar’s calibre to go so long without a hundred,” said a PCB official. “But even greats like Kohli and Jayasuriya have endured similar phases.”
The Longest Century Droughts in International Cricket
The record for the longest gap between centuries in men’s international cricket belongs to Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who went without a hundred for nearly five and a half years during his career.
Babar’s name now joins that list alongside other cricketing legends.
| Rank | Player | Country | Innings Without a Century |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 88 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 83 |
| 3 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 83* |
| 4 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | 78 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 67 |
Note: Babar Azam’s drought is ongoing as of November 2025.
Babar Azam’s Form: A Tale of Consistency Without Conversion
Despite the century drought, Babar Azam’s performances have been remarkably consistent. While centuries have eluded him, he has scored numerous fifties and played several match-saving innings.
Since August 2023, Babar has averaged 42.7 in ODIs, which still ranks among the top five ODI averages globally during that period. However, his inability to convert starts into big hundreds has drawn attention from fans and analysts alike.
Cricket experts point to factors such as:
- Extra responsibility as captain affecting his mental rhythm.
- Overreliance from Pakistan’s middle order, forcing Babar to anchor rather than attack.
- Bowlers worldwide adapting better to his strengths, especially early swing and spin variations.
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How Babar’s Drought Compares to Virat Kohli’s
The Virat Kohli century drought (2019–2022) became one of the most discussed phases in Indian cricket history. During that time, Kohli was still contributing regularly but fell short of converting starts into hundreds — a trend now seen with Babar.
| Player | Start of Drought | End of Drought | Innings | Average During Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | November 2019 | September 2022 | 83 | 41.4 |
| Babar Azam | August 2023 | Ongoing (Nov 2025) | 83* | 42.7 |
Both players continued to average in the 40s, proving that while centuries are a statistical benchmark, their overall impact remains significant.
Kohli eventually broke his streak with a blistering 122 against Afghanistan* in the 2022 Asia Cup, which reignited his form across formats. Pakistani fans are now hoping that Babar Azam’s breakthrough is not far away.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: First ODI Recap
Even as Babar’s struggles continued, Pakistan managed to edge out Sri Lanka by six runs in a thrilling contest.
The star of the match was Salman Ali Agha, who scored a crucial century that lifted Pakistan to a competitive total. Haris Rauf then produced a fiery bowling spell to secure victory despite Sri Lanka’s late resistance.
The win gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the ODI series, with the second match scheduled for tomorrow. Fans will once again focus on Babar Azam’s form as the team eyes a series win in Rawalpindi.
Why Babar’s Century Drought Has Become a Talking Point
Babar Azam’s rise to cricketing stardom was built on elegance, precision, and consistency. By 2023, he had already accumulated over 30 international centuries across formats and was considered one of the finest all-format batters in the world.
However, his recent struggles have triggered widespread debate over his batting approach and leadership pressure.
Several former players, including Misbah-ul-Haq and Inzamam-ul-Haq, have urged Babar to play with more freedom.
“Babar is overthinking his batting,” said Misbah. “He needs to trust his instincts again — the same instincts that made him world number one.”
Expert Opinions on Babar’s Form
Cricket analysts believe that Babar’s issue is not technical but mental. His class and shot selection remain top-tier, but the weight of expectations has likely added pressure.
Ramiz Raja, former PCB chairman, noted:
“Babar Azam’s body language shows he’s carrying extra responsibility. Once he scores that one big century, the floodgates will open.”
Others have compared his situation to Kohli’s comeback, predicting that a similar turnaround may be near.
Statistical Overview: Babar Azam’s Century Drought
| Format | Matches Played Since Last Century | Fifties Scored | Highest Score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 36 | 14 | 89 | 45.2 |
| Test | 11 | 4 | 78 | 39.7 |
| T20I | 18 | 6 | 73 | 41.0 |
Despite not reaching triple figures, Babar has maintained strong consistency, especially in ODIs, where he continues to rank among the top 10 ICC batters.
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The Mental Pressure of Comparisons
Babar Azam has often been compared to Virat Kohli throughout his career — a comparison that has fueled motivation but also added pressure.
From batting style to match temperament, the parallels are uncanny. Both players began their careers as flamboyant youngsters who matured into world-class leaders. Yet, with such constant comparison, even a small dip becomes magnified.
“Every time Babar bats, people expect a hundred. That’s unrealistic,” commented cricket writer Harsha Bhogle. “Even the greatest players face tough phases. What matters is how they respond.”
Fans’ Reaction and Social Media Buzz
As soon as Babar’s dismissal in Rawalpindi marked his 83rd century-less innings, social media erupted with reactions.
Hashtags like #BabarAzam, #KohliComparison, and #CenturyDrought began trending on X (formerly Twitter).
While critics highlighted his ongoing struggles, loyal fans defended him passionately, emphasizing that form is temporary but class is permanent.
“Even Virat Kohli went through this. Babar will bounce back stronger,” tweeted one fan from Lahore.
Upcoming Fixtures – Babar’s Next Opportunities
Babar Azam’s next chance to end his drought comes in the second ODI against Sri Lanka tomorrow in Rawalpindi. After that, Pakistan will play:
- 3rd ODI vs Sri Lanka – Lahore
- 2-Test Series vs New Zealand – December 2025
- Tri-Series with Bangladesh and Afghanistan – early 2026
Fans and selectors hope that one good innings could help Babar regain confidence and silence critics before the 2026 international season.
What Babar Needs to Revive His Form
Cricket experts have outlined a few key areas for Babar to focus on:
- Play more aggressively in the powerplay to unsettle bowlers.
- Reduce captaincy pressure by delegating tactical decisions mid-match.
- Take short breaks between series to mentally reset.
- Trust his natural timing instead of forcing strokes.
- Ignore comparisons and focus on his own journey.
Once Babar rediscovers his rhythm, a century is almost inevitable — and could mark the start of another prolific phase in his career.
Conclusion About Babar Azam equals Virat Kohli record:
Babar Azam equalling Virat Kohli’s century drought record might seem like a low point, but in reality, it is part of every great player’s journey. Kohli came back stronger after his dry spell, and history suggests Babar might do the same.
With Pakistan winning the first ODI and the captain showing flashes of form, cricket fans across the world will eagerly watch his next innings — waiting for that one defining century to break the drought and revive the legend of Babar Azam, the modern maestro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which record did Babar Azam equal recently?
Babar Azam equalled Virat Kohli’s record of 83 consecutive innings without a century during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
2. When did Babar Azam last score an international century?
Babar’s last international century came in August 2023. Since then, he has passed fifty several times but hasn’t converted them into hundreds.
3. How long was Virat Kohli’s century drought?
Virat Kohli went 83 innings without a century between November 2019 and September 2022, before breaking the streak with a hundred against Afghanistan.
4. Who holds the longest century drought in cricket history?
Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka holds the record with 88 innings between centuries.
5. Is Babar Azam’s overall form poor?
No. Despite the drought, Babar maintains a strong average above 40 across all formats, consistently contributing valuable runs.
