Babar Azam Equals Another Virat Kohli Record

Pakistan’s Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli have shared numerous accolades during their careers, and the two once again find themselves tied for another record, albeit an unwanted one.

Babar officially equalled Kohli’s unwanted achievement during the first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Walking in early after the fall of Saim Ayub, Babar never truly looked settled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. He managed 29 runs off 51 balls, hitting three boundaries before Wanindu Hasaranga breached his defence to send him back. The dismissal meant his century drought stretched to 83 matches, a record also held by Virat Kohli.

Babar Azam last scored a century in August 2023, while Virat Kohli went without a ton from November 2019 to September 2022. Sanath Jayasuriya leads the list after going century-less for almost five and a half years, followed by the two subcontinent stalwarts.

Longest Century Droughts in Cricket:

Rank Player Country Innings Without 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

Babar Azam will likely get his next shot at redemption tomorrow during the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Despite Babar’s struggles, Pakistan managed to beat the visitors by six runs thanks to a century from Salman Ali Agha and the bowling of Haris Rauf.

As Pakistan eye a series win in the remaining ODIs, all eyes will once again be on Babar Azam, a batter who is desperate to rediscover the magical touch that once made centuries seem routine.

Click here to read article