Babar Azam Equals Kohli’s ODI Century Drought Mark

ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Throughout their careers, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and India’s Virat Kohli have accumulated an impressive array of accomplishments, and now both have been joined in an unwanted title once again.

Babar officially joined Kohli’s unwanted record during the first One Day International ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Babar came to the crease early after the fall of Saim Ayub but never really looked comfortable against the disciplined Sri Lankan bowling.

He scored 29 runs off 51 balls with three boundaries before Wanindu Hasaranga breached his defense and sent him back. The result was the end of an 83-match century drought, a record he now shares with Virat Kohli.

Babar Azam last made a century in August 2023, while Virat Kohli failed to score a century from November 2019 until September 2022.

The record for the longest stretch without a century belongs to Sanath Jayasuriya, who went almost five-and-a-half years. Babar Azam and Virat Kohli are the next batch of players on the all-time list for the longest stretch without a century.

Longest Century Droughts in Cricket

Babar Azam is expected to get another opportunity for redemption tomorrow during Pakistan’s second ODI against Sri Lanka. Despite the troubles Babar had at the crease, Pakistan was able to secure a win through a century from Salman Ali Agha and the bowling of Haris Rauf to win by six runs.