Babar Azam’s Century Drought Hits 72 Innings After ODI Defeat

Key Points

• Babar Azam’s last international century came in November 2022.
• 72 innings without a century — the longest streak since 2023.
• Pakistan lost the ODI series decider to West Indies by 202 runs.
• Fans and critics debate captaincy pressure and form slump.
• Experts call for strategic changes before upcoming series.

Karachi, Pakistan — In a result that has stunned cricket fans across the globe, Babar Azam’s century drought has now extended to an unprecedented 72 consecutive international innings. The milestone came during Pakistan’s crushing 202-run defeat to West Indies in the third and final ODI of the series, a loss that also cost Pakistan the series 2-1.

The last time Babar Azam reached triple figures was back in November 2022, in a Test match against England in Rawalpindi. Since then, the prolific right-hander — once regarded as the most consistent batter in world cricket — has found himself stuck in a statistical nightmare.

The Third ODI Collapse

The much-anticipated decider at the National Stadium started on a tense note. West Indies, led by a resurgent batting line-up, posted a mammoth 356/5 in their 50 overs. Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 142 off 118 balls, supported by Brandon King’s fluent 87, set the tone.

Pakistan’s reply was nothing short of a disaster. Chasing a target well beyond their comfort zone, the hosts crumbled for 154 runs in just 31.2 overs. Babar, walking in with expectations sky-high, managed 31 runs off 49 balls before falling to Alzarri Joseph’s sharp delivery. His dismissal not only silenced the crowd but also reignited the debate over his form and captaincy.

The Century Drought — A Closer Look

Babar Azam’s 72-inning century gap is the longest by any top-order batsman in international cricket since 2023. In these innings, he has scored 29 fifties but has failed to convert any into a hundred — a surprising pattern for a player once lauded for his ability to build big innings.

Experts suggest the reasons could be multi-fold:

• Captaincy Burden – The dual role of leading the side and being its primary run-scorer.
• Overexposure to Opponents – Bowlers have studied his weaknesses extensively.
• Mental Fatigue – Continuous cricket without significant breaks.

Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram commented:

“Babar is still one of the best batsmen in the world, but sometimes numbers mess with your head. The key is to reset mentally before big tournaments.”

Fan Reactions — Support & Frustration

Social media exploded after the loss.

• Supporters defended Babar, calling him the “backbone of Pakistan cricket” and urging patience.
• Critics accused him of playing too cautiously, putting pressure on the lower order.
• Memes & trends like #BabarCenturyKab and #CaptainUnderPressure went viral within hours.

Twitter user @GreenBloodedFan posted:

“72 innings without a century. Something’s not right. Either Babar takes a break or PCB steps in with a plan.”

What’s Next for Pakistan?

With the Asia Cup and World T20 looming, the pressure on Babar to find form has never been greater. Analysts believe a short rest or batting position change could spark a turnaround. The Pakistan Cricket Board has yet to indicate any captaincy changes, but internal reviews are reportedly underway.

Cricket commentator Ramiz Raja summed it up:

“This is a crossroads for Babar. He can either let this define his career or use it as fuel to come back stronger than ever.”

FAQs

Q1: When was Babar Azam’s last international century?
A: November 2022 against England in Rawalpindi.

Q2: How many innings has he gone without a century?
A: 72 consecutive international innings.

Q3: Is this the longest drought in recent cricket history?
A: Yes, it is the longest since 2023 for any top-order batsman.

Q4: Is Babar Azam’s captaincy under threat?
A: While there’s public debate, the PCB has not made any official statement.

Do you think Babar should take a break to regain form or continue playing through this slump? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the debate!