Babar Azam finally snapped his long, agonising wait for an international hundred, smashing his 20th ODI century during Pakistan’s eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Rawalpindi. His unbeaten 102 off 119 balls not only sealed the series for Pakistan but also marked a massive personal milestone — ending an 807-day century drought that had become a constant talking point across world cricket.
The significance of this innings can’t be overstated. For over two years, Babar kept getting starts but couldn’t convert them, accumulating more than 80 innings without a hundred in any format. In Rawalpindi, he batted like a man who had shaken off a shadow. Chasing 289, Pakistan got the perfect platform through their openers. Fakhar Zaman played freely and produced a solid 78 off 93 balls, while Saim Ayub’s brisk knocks ensured a strong powerplay. Once the chase moved into the middle overs, Babar took complete control.
From the moment he walked in, Babar’s focus was evident — calm in defence, decisive with his footwork, and stubbornly refusing to let the pressure of the drought dictate his tempo. As the innings wore on, the crowd sensed that a long-awaited century might finally arrive. He rotated the strike smoothly, picked gaps effortlessly, and sprinkled just enough boundaries to keep the chase on track. His partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, who chipped in with a measured half-century, was the backbone of Pakistan’s pursuit. Their unbroken 100-plus stand turned what could have been a tricky chase into a composed, calculated finish.
When Babar reached triple figures, the Rawalpindi crowd erupted with a roar that felt like collective relief. He brought up the milestone with a simple single, dropped to his knees, and let the emotion wash over him. It wasn’t just a personal triumph — it was a moment that reaffirmed his place at the heart of Pakistan’s ODI ambitions. With this knock, Babar also matched Saeed Anwar’s national record of 20 ODI centuries, but achieving it in far fewer innings, underlining just how prolific he has been across his career.
From a team perspective, the century couldn’t have come at a better time. Pakistan were looking for stability and leadership in their batting group, and Babar delivered exactly that. The win also sealed the series with a match to spare, giving Pakistan valuable momentum and reassurance heading into a packed calendar.
In his post-match reflections, Babar admitted the wait had weighed on him. He spoke openly about the mental battle of repeatedly falling short of three figures. But he also said the drought made this achievement “even more special,” highlighting how much emotional investment had gone into rediscovering his rhythm. There was relief, gratitude, and unmistakable hunger in his words — the sense of a player ready to hit reset and climb again.
For Pakistan, the hope now is that this century becomes the starting point of a stronger, more confident Babar Azam returning to his peak. And for Babar, the Rawalpindi ton is more than a statistic — it’s a release, a reminder, and possibly the beginning of another dominant run.
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