For 800 long days, the cricketing world watched as Babar Azam—once hailed as the heir to Virat Kohli’s batting throne—grappled with form, pressure, and mounting scrutiny. His last international century came in March 2023. Since then, near-misses, starts, and soft dismissals piled up, fueling doubts about his place at the top.
But on November 15, 2025, in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Lahore, Babar silenced every critic with a flawless, unbeaten 102 off 114 balls. Chasing 288, he anchored Pakistan’s innings with trademark cover drives, deft nudges, and impeccable timing, guiding his side to an eight-wicket victory and an unassailable 2–0 series lead .
This wasn’t just a century—it was a statement of resilience, class, and unwavering self-belief.
With this knock, Babar Azam achieved a historic milestone: he now shares the record for the most ODI centuries by a Pakistani batter—20—tying the legendary Saeed Anwar .
Anwar, who set the benchmark in the 1990s with his explosive strokeplay and record-breaking 194 against India, was long considered untouchable in this department. But Babar, with his modern technique and relentless consistency, has now matched him—and at just 31 years old, he’s likely to surpass him soon.
What makes this feat even more impressive? Babar reached 20 ODI tons in just 108 innings, 23 fewer than Anwar needed. His average (56.32) and strike rate (89.1) also reflect his dominance in the modern era .
Pakistan’s chase began under slight tension—Sri Lanka had posted a competitive 287/7, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s 95. But Babar, opening with Fakhar Zaman, quickly took control:
Not a single false shot. Not a moment of panic. Just pure, classical batting—reminding fans why he’s ranked among the top three ODI batters in the world [[INTERNAL_LINK:pakistan-batting-rankings-2025]].
While Babar rightly stole the headlines, the win was a team effort:
This balance—aggression at the top, stability in the middle—is what Pakistan lacked in recent series. Against a weakened Sri Lankan attack, they executed their game plan to perfection.
Babar’s century is more than a personal redemption—it’s a psychological reset for Pakistan cricket.
Since their disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign, the team has been under fire for inconsistent performances and leadership issues. Babar, who stepped down as white-ball captain but remained a key batter, needed to prove he could still deliver under pressure.
As noted by analysts at the ESPNCricinfo, “When Babar fires, Pakistan’s batting looks world-class. When he doesn’t, they collapse.” This innings re-establishes him as the linchpin of their top order ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy .
Social media erupted with #BabarIsBack trending across Pakistan. Fans flooded platforms with clips of his cover drives, calling it “a vintage Babar special.”
For fantasy cricket players, this performance reaffirms Babar as a must-pick:
Babar Azam’s unbeaten 102 wasn’t just about ending an 800-day century drought—it was about reclaiming his place among cricket’s elite. By equaling Saeed Anwar’s record on home soil, he reminded the world of his class, timing, and unshakable focus. For Pakistan, this innings is a beacon of hope: if Babar is back, their golden generation still has time to shine.
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