Babar Azam Ends 807-Day ODI Century Drought: Scores Babar Azam 20th ODI Century and Equals Saeed Anwar
Babar Azam Ends 807-Day ODI Century Drought: Scores Babar Azam 20th ODI Century _ Babar Azam, the captain and star batsman of Pakistan, has finally broken his long-standing century drought in One Day Internationals. After 807 days without a hundred, he delivered a remarkable innings of 102* to not just win the match for his side, but also to register his Babar Azam 20th ODI Century—tying a record held by Pakistani cricket legend Saeed Anwar. This knock carries enormous significance for his personal legacy, the team’s outlook, and Pakistani cricket as a whole.
The Grinding Drought: A Test of Character Over 807 Days
It has been a grueling wait for Babar Azam and his fans. His last ODI century came in August 2023, and since then, despite multiple opportunities, a ton had eluded him. Across those 807 days, Babar played approximately 28 ODI innings, securing multiple half-centuries but struggling with the crucial conversion rate.
During this period, pressure mounted exponentially. Critics began questioning his role as a modern-day great, especially in comparison to his contemporaries like Virat Kohli and Joe Root. The media scrutiny, combined with the immense demands of captaining Pakistan across all formats, placed a heavy mental load on him. Yet, he stayed resilient, demonstrating the mental fortitude required to withstand this public and personal challenge. This 102* is not just a statistical milestone; it is the ultimate proof of character, solidifying the value of his Babar Azam 20th ODI Century.
Match Context: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi
In the second ODI played in Rawalpindi, Pakistan was chasing a modest total of 289. Babar came into bat with a calm presence and slowly built his innings. Facing some tough bowling spells, he played with poise, timing his shots smartly and rotating the strike wisely. His 102* came off 119 balls, featuring eight crisp boundaries PCB Official Match Report or Scorecard. This unbeaten knock not only sealed the game for Pakistan but also marked a historic return to form with the completion of his Babar Azam 20th ODI Century.
Tactical Brilliance: How Babar Anchored the Chase
The innings was a masterclass in reading a run chase. Babar successfully navigated the first powerplay against the fast bowlers without taking undue risks, focusing instead on strike rotation. Crucially, he attacked the middle-overs, particularly against the spinners, to ensure the required run rate remained manageable.
His partnership with the lower middle-order was vital. Instead of panicking when wickets fell, he shielded the tailenders and shifted gears intelligently, demonstrating a perfect blend of technique and game management. This calculated approach ensured that the team crossed the finishing line with wickets in hand, proving that his century was a match-winning effort based on tactical discipline—a key element that was often missing in his previous century-less knocks.
Historic Milestone: Fastest to the 20-Ton Mark Globally (Among the Elite)
With this century, Babar has now notched up 20 ODI centuries, a tally that puts him alongside Saeed Anwar, one of Pakistan’s greatest batsmen. What makes this achievement even more special is his speed: he reached this mark in just 136 innings, placing him amongst the Fastest to 20 ODI centuries in the history of ODI cricket ESPNcricinfo Stats Page
He is currently the second-fastest (behind Hashim Amla) and is competing fiercely with modern giants like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in terms of sheer volume and speed. This monumental achievement solidifies the importance of the Babar Azam 20th ODI Century in cricketing lore and confirms his status in the elite “Fab Four” club.
Why This Century Matters
This century is about more than just runs. It’s about mental fortitude, belief, and legacy:
- Mental Strength: Staying patient through a drought of over two years shows resilience, an essential trait for a world-class athlete.
- Pressure Handling: With fans and critics watching, delivering such an innings under pressure strengthens his leadership credentials.
- Legacy Building: Matching Anwar’s record adds immediate weight to his career narrative, positioning him as the next great Pakistani ODI batsman.
- Team Impact: For Pakistan, a confident Babar Azam means a more stable batting core and leadership on big stages like World Cups.
Comparing the Greats: Babar vs Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar, a legendary figure in Pakistani cricket, held the record for most ODI tons for years. Babar’s quicker achievement highlights his consistency and modern batting caliber.
| Metric | Babar Azam (20th Ton) | Saeed Anwar (20th Ton) |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Taken | 136 | Approx. 200+ |
| Strike Rate (Career) | High (Modern Era) | Moderate (Previous Era) |
| Role | Anchor/Captain | — |
While Anwar is known for his elegant, wristy stroke play and aggressive starts, Babar combines traditional technique with a modern, high-intensity temperament, particularly in high-pressure chases. The rapid pace of Babar’s scoring reflects the evolution of the game, making his Babar Azam 20th ODI Century a landmark event of the current era.
Long-Term Impact: Leadership and Tournament Readiness
Babar Azam’s 20th ODI Century sends a significant message to Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity, especially in the context of major global tournaments [Internal Link to related article on Leadership/Tournaments].
- Dependable Anchor: It reaffirms him as the most dependable top-order batsman, allowing freedom to the explosive middle-order players.
- Inspiring Leadership: His return to form can inspire younger talent, confirming that perseverance, even during long droughts, yields results.
- Tournament Confidence: Pakistan’s future in ODIs looks far more promising with his current leadership and run-scoring ability. Heading into crucial series and potential World Cups, this century provides a huge psychological boost to the entire squad.
Conclusion: Redemption and Re-establishment
Babar Azam’s 102* in Rawalpindi is more than a statistical milestone; it’s redemption, re-establishment, and celebration. Breaking his 807-day century drought and scoring his Babar Azam 20th ODI Century restores his legacy and boosts Pakistan’s confidence significantly. If he continues on this path, Babar is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest batsmen of his generation. For fans, it’s a moment of joy and renewed hope. For Babar, it’s a statement—he’s here to stay, and his best years could still be ahead.
