In a sobering twist for fans of elegant strokeplay, Babar Azam has officially tied Virat Kohli for the most consecutive international innings without a century by a modern top-order batter—55 innings and counting .
The Pakistan captain’s last hundred came against Nepal in the Asia Cup 2023—a blistering 151 off just 109 balls . Since then, despite flashes of brilliance and four fifties, the triple-digit mark has eluded him across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. And now, this Babar Azam century drought has entered record books for all the wrong reasons.
According to ESPNcricinfo’s verified stats, Babar Azam has now played 55 consecutive international innings across all formats without reaching three figures—a stretch spanning over 14 months since September 2023 .
This ties him with Virat Kohli, who endured a similar 55-innings drought between November 2019 and March 2021 before breaking through with a double-century against Bangladesh in a Test in Dhaka .
While Kohli was 33 during his slump, Babar is only 31—still in his batting prime—but the psychological weight of expectation may be mounting.
Several factors could explain Babar’s century drought:
Notably, Babar’s averages remain respectable—38.2 in Tests, 45.1 in ODIs over the last year—showing he’s still contributing, just not with massive scores .
Kohli’s 55-innings drought is often cited as a cautionary tale—but also a comeback blueprint. During that phase, he faced criticism about “decline,” yet he returned stronger, scoring 700+ Test runs in 2021 alone .
Key differences:
| Aspect | Babar Azam (2023–2025) | Virat Kohli (2019–2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Age during drought | 30–31 | 31–33 |
| Format distribution | More white-ball cricket | Heavy Test focus |
| Team context | Unstable Pakistan lineup | Settled India core |
| Post-drought form | Yet to break free | Scored 200 vs Bangladesh |
Babar’s path to redemption may require a similar mental reset—and perhaps a change in batting position or tempo.
Pakistan’s batting depth heavily relies on Babar anchoring the innings. Without his big hundreds, the middle order—often fragile—faces early pressure.
In the recent Zimbabwe ODI series, for example, Pakistan collapsed twice despite Babar scoring 60+—highlighting that consistent 70s aren’t enough against stronger teams like India or Australia .
Coach Saqlain Mushtaq has hinted at promoting Babar to open in Tests full-time to give him more time to build—but the jury’s still out.
While 55 innings is significant in the modern era, it’s not the all-time record. Rahul Dravid once went 65 innings without a Test century (2000–2002), and Sachin Tendulkar had a 63-innings ODI drought (2005–2008) .
However, in today’s high-pressure, data-driven cricket environment—where fans and analysts track every metric—the Babar Azam century drought feels more pronounced.
Yes—and soon. Upcoming fixtures offer ideal opportunities:
If anyone can turn this around, it’s Babar—the man who averaged 55+ in ODIs from 2019 to 2022 .
The Babar Azam century drought is more than a stat—it’s a test of resilience. Like Kohli before him, he now faces a crossroads: let the drought define him, or use it as fuel.
For Pakistan fans, the hope remains that the next innings is the one where the floodgates open. After all, greatness isn’t measured by how long you go without a hundred—but how you respond when the pressure peaks.
Stay updated with our [INTERNAL_LINK:babar-azam-career-stats] and [INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-champions-trophy-preview].
A decade after his international debut, Hardik Pandya has shared a heartfelt montage celebrating his…
After a year-long absence, Ravi Bishnoi made a sensational return to India’s T20I side against…
In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan is seriously considering boycotting its marquee T20 World…
In a high-stakes T20I against New Zealand, Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he’s not…
After 1,059 days and 57 matches, the Women’s Premier League finally has its first century—and…
In a landmark moment for women’s cricket, Nat Sciver-Brunt blazed an unbeaten 101 off just…