The cricketing world is watching with growing concern as Babar Azam, once hailed as Pakistan’s batting maestro, continues to struggle through a startling form slump. The star’s century drought has now stretched to a staggering 80 international innings across formats—with his most recent failure being a mere 7-run dismissal against South Africa in the second ODI .
Despite Pakistan pulling off a nail-biting victory in that match, Babar’s ongoing batting woes have cast a long shadow over his captaincy and future role at the top of the order.
Babar Azam’s Century Drought: By the Numbers
At his peak, Babar Azam was on track to rival the greats—racking up centuries with elegant consistency and topping ICC rankings across all three formats. But since his last international hundred—a 103 against Australia in March 2022—his output has significantly declined.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Last International Century | March 2022 vs Australia (ODI) |
| Consecutive Innings Without a Century | 80 (as of Nov 2025) |
| Average in Last 20 ODIs | 28.4 |
| Highest Score in 2025 ODIs | 61 |
| Current ICC ODI Batting Rank | #6 |
Pressure Mounts on Captain Babar
As Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam carries dual expectations: to lead strategically and to anchor the innings. Lately, he’s been faltering at both. His recent dismissal for 7 against a disciplined South African pace attack was symptomatic of a deeper issue—tentative footwork, delayed triggers, and a visible dip in confidence.
Fans and analysts alike are beginning to question whether the burden of captaincy is weighing too heavily on his batting. His strike rate in ODIs has dipped below 75 in 2025—far from the fluent tempo he once maintained.
Is This a Technical or Mental Slump?
Former Pakistan greats are divided. Some, like Wasim Akram, suggest it’s a technical adjustment phase—Babar’s famed cover drive has lost its timing, and he’s playing inside the line too often. Others, including coach Mickey Arthur in past interviews, hint at a mental block, especially after repeated early exits have chipped away at his aura of invincibility.
What’s undeniable is that opposition bowlers now target him with specific plans—short-pitched deliveries and wide off-stump lines—and he’s struggling to adapt.
Can Babar Bounce Back?
History offers hope. Greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Kane Williamson have weathered similar dry spells and returned stronger. Babar, still only 31, has time—but patience in Pakistan’s high-stakes cricket environment is running thin.
With the remaining ODIs against South Africa and a packed 2026 international calendar—including the ICC Champions Trophy—Babar Azam’s next few innings could define not just his captaincy, but his legacy.
Fan Reactions and Media Sentiment
Social media in Pakistan is split. While loyal supporters chant “One more chance, Babar!” others demand he step down as captain to focus solely on batting. Urdu news channels have run primetime panels asking: “Is Babar still the best batter in Pakistan?”
One thing is clear: the cricketing world isn’t just waiting for runs—they’re waiting for the old Babar to return.