Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam equalled an unfortunate record of former Indian captain Virat Kohli during the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Babar, who last scored an international century against Nepal in 2023, came in to bat at number three with Pakistan struggling at 14/1 in the fifth over.
The right-handed batter showed glimpses of his class with a 29-run knock before being dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga’s googly in the 24th over.
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With this innings, Babar has now gone 83 international innings without a century across formats, matching the unfortunate record of Kohli.
Virat Kohli had also gone without a century after his ton against Bangladesh in the Kolkata Test 2019, having to wait three years to reach the milestone again against Afghanistan in the 2022 ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup.
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During this period, he scored several fifties but was unable to convert them into a big hundred.
Globally, former Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya also went 88 international innings without a century.
Other notable names include Shivnarine Chanderpaul (78 innings) and AB de Villiers (67 innings).
Prominent cricketers who have gone many innings without a ton:
88 – Sanath Jayasuriya
83 – Virat Kohli
83* – Babar Azam
78 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul
67 – AB de Villiers
Despite Babar’s ongoing century drought, Pakistan managed a strong total of 299/5 in the ODI opener, thanks to a brilliant century from Salman Ali Agha and a fast-paced fifty from Hussain Talat.
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Agha remained unbeaten on 105 off 87 balls, hitting nine fours, while Talat contributed 62 runs off 63 deliveries, including six fours and a six.
All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz provided crucial support at the end, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 23 deliveries with five fours and a six, helping Pakistan finish with a competitive total.
This partnership between Agha, Talat, and Nawaz gave Pakistan a solid platform to put pressure on Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the series.
In bowling, after a quick start from the Sri Lankan batters, Haris Rauf put them under pressure by taking three wickets in quick succession.
