Pakistan captain Babar Azam has ended his prolonged century drought, scoring a superb unbeaten 102 off 119 balls in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. This significant hundred, his first in 807 days and across 84 innings in all formats, firmly re-establishes him as a premier limited-overs batsman.
This remarkable innings wasn’t just a personal milestone; it propelled Babar Azam into the record books for Pakistan, drawing him level with the esteemed Saeed Anwar for ODI centuries. His return to form under pressure guided Pakistan to a crucial victory in the series.
**Ending the Long Wait for a Ton**
Babar’s previous international century came in August 2023. The subsequent 807-day period without reaching three figures garnered significant attention. His commanding 102 not out against Sri Lanka was a masterclass in controlled aggression. After a cautious start, he accelerated, building a match-winning foundation for the chase.
**Equaling Saeed Anwar’s ODI Legacy**
With this outstanding knock, Babar Azam now boasts 20 ODI centuries. He joins the legendary Saeed Anwar, who also finished his illustrious career with 20 ODI hundreds. This achievement makes Babar Pakistan’s joint-highest century-maker in the One Day International format.
Furthermore, Babar reached this impressive tally in just 136 ODI innings. This incredible pace places him as the third-fastest batsman in international cricket history to achieve 20 ODI centuries, trailing only elite names like Hashim Amla and Virat Kohli.
**A Match-Winning Performance**
Pakistan faced early pressure in their pursuit of 289, but Babar Azam’s composed presence at the crease was instrumental in turning the game’s momentum. His substantial 112-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan formed the core of Pakistan’s successful chase, which concluded in 48.2 overs, securing an eight-wicket win and the series.
Sri Lanka had posted a competitive 288/8, with contributions from Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, and Wanindu Hasaranga helping them recover from a shaky start. However, their total ultimately proved insufficient against Pakistan’s formidable batting display, anchored by Babar’s brilliant century.