When Babar Azam walked back to the pavilion after being bowled for 29 by Wanindu Hasaranga in the 24th over of Pakistan’s innings on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the silence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium wasn’t just from the crowd—it was the sound of a legacy stalling. Azam, once the jewel of Pakistan’s batting lineup, had just equaled Virat Kohli’s unwanted record: 83 consecutive international innings without a century. It’s not just a number. It’s a shadow that’s grown longer with every dot ball, every edge, every flicked shot that fell short. And for a man who once carried Pakistan’s hopes like a torch, this is the quietest kind of crisis.
The Weight of 83 Innings
Babar’s last century came in the 2023 Asia Cup against Nepal—a lifetime ago in cricket years. Since then, he’s played 83 innings across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Not one of them reached three figures. His last six ODI knocks? 0, 9, 7, 11, 27, 29. That’s 83 runs in six innings. An average of 13.83. A strike rate of 61.94. Those aren’t just stats. They’re red flags waving in a storm. And here’s the twist: he’s still playing. Still selected. Still captain in all but name. The Pakistan selectors haven’t dropped him, not because he’s invincible, but because they don’t know who else can fill the void.
He’s not alone in this misery. Virat Kohli endured the same drought from 2020 to 2023—83 innings without a hundred—before breaking through against South Africa in Delhi. Kohli’s comeback was fueled by a complete overhaul of his technique, mental reset, and a return to fundamentals. Azam hasn’t had that moment yet. He’s still trying to muscle through, still playing the same shots, still trusting his instincts even when they’ve betrayed him for over two years.
Hasaranga’s Moment, Jayasuriya’s Celebration
The dismissal itself was textbook Hasaranga. The ball landed outside off, spun sharply, and clipped the top of middle stump. Commentator Roshan Abeysinghe nailed it: “Deceived and bowled him. Massive scalp.” But the real story unfolded in the Sri Lankan dressing room. Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, himself a legend of the game, erupted in celebration—arms raised, fists pumping, a grin that could’ve lit up the stadium. It went viral instantly. Twitter user @Rainbowsalt91 captured the mood: “Hasaranga to Babar Azam: This is not PSL kid #PAKvSL.”
That moment wasn’t just about a wicket. It was symbolic. Jayasuriya knows what it’s like to be the hunted. He still holds the Asian record for longest century drought: 88 innings. If Azam fails to score a hundred in his next five international innings, he’ll surpass Jayasuriya’s mark. That’s not just a statistical footnote—it’s a historical burden. And here’s the irony: Jayasuriya, the man who could’ve been the one to break the record, is now the one watching Azam inch closer to it.
A Player Under Pressure, A Team in Transition
What makes this more painful is the context. The match was played in Rawalpindi, where the crowd still chants his name. But the noise was mixed—cheers for Pakistan’s openers, silence when Azam came in, and a collective sigh when he was out. Even more telling: just hours before the match, unknown assailants fired shots at the gate of Naseem Shah’s ancestral home in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Shah, who replaced Abrar Ahmed in the XI, chose to play anyway. His courage was quiet, but real. Azam’s silence, by contrast, has become deafening.
He’s not injured. Not suspended. Not out of form because of lack of opportunity. He’s been playing regularly, consistently, and yet the hundred refuses to come. Analysts say it’s psychological—the weight of expectation, the fear of failure, the overthinking that comes after years of being the go-to guy. One former Pakistan captain, speaking off the record, said: “When you’ve been the best for so long, the moment you stop scoring, you start playing not to lose instead of playing to win.”
What Comes Next? The Clock Is Ticking
The next five ODIs against Sri Lanka are critical. If Azam fails to score a century in any of them, he’ll become the Asian record holder for longest drought—a title no one wants. And if he still doesn’t break through by the time the 2026 ICC Champions Trophy rolls around? Questions will turn into demands. The selectors can’t ignore this forever. Young talents like Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel are waiting in the wings. Rizwan, in fact, has scored five centuries since Azam’s last one.
There’s also the matter of legacy. Azam was supposed to be Pakistan’s next great batsman. The one who’d carry the team through the post-Imran Khan and post-Youhana era. Instead, he’s becoming a cautionary tale. Not because he’s bad, but because he’s stuck. Kohli broke his drought by simplifying his game. Azam needs to do the same—stop forcing shots, stop trying to be the hero every time. Sometimes, the bravest thing a great player can do is stop trying to be great for a while.
Historical Context: The Rare Droughts
Only a handful of elite batsmen in cricket history have endured century droughts this long. Shivnarine Chanderpaul went 78 innings without a hundred between 2003 and 2006. He survived because he was a wall, not a stroke-maker. Azam is neither. He’s an elegant technician who’s lost his rhythm. Then there’s Australia’s Michael Clarke, who went 72 innings without a hundred in 2011–2013. He came back with a century in his next match. That’s the hope Pakistan clings to.
But this isn’t just about runs. It’s about identity. For a nation that worships its batsmen like gods, seeing Azam struggle is like watching a prophet lose his voice. The world remembers his 2021 England series, his 2022 T20 World Cup heroics. Now, they remember the 29 off 51. And that’s the cruel truth about sport: longevity doesn’t guarantee reverence. Consistency does.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Babar Azam’s current drought compare to other top batsmen in history?
Only three modern batsmen have gone longer than 75 innings without a century: Sanath Jayasuriya (88), Virat Kohli (83), and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (78). Azam now matches Kohli’s 83-inning drought, a stretch so rare that only 12 players in Test and ODI history have exceeded 75 innings without a hundred. For a player with Azam’s average of 52.7 before the slump, this is statistically unprecedented.
Why hasn’t Pakistan dropped Babar Azam despite his poor form?
Pakistan’s selectors view Azam as a stabilizing force in the middle order, even when not scoring. His leadership, fielding, and ability to rotate strike still provide structure. With no clear heir apparent—Rizwan is more of a finisher, and Shakeel is inconsistent—they fear the chaos of replacing him. His presence also draws crowds and sponsors, making him a commercial asset beyond just runs.
What did Virat Kohli do differently to break his 83-inning drought?
Kohli overhauled his technique, simplified his trigger movements, and focused on playing the ball later. He also reduced his backlift, stopped chasing wide deliveries, and prioritized building innings over explosive starts. He took a mental break after the 2022 T20 World Cup, returned with a clearer mindset, and scored 101 against South Africa in Delhi—his first hundred in over two years.
Could Babar Azam surpass Sanath Jayasuriya’s Asian record?
Yes. If Azam fails to score a century in his next five international innings—across ODIs and Tests—he’ll surpass Jayasuriya’s 88-inning record. Given Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures against Sri Lanka, England, and Australia through early 2026, that milestone is within reach. Jayasuriya himself has said, “Records are meant to be broken, but not like this.”
How has social media reacted to Babar Azam’s slump?
Reactions are sharply divided. Pakistani fans have been largely supportive, with hashtags like #WeStandWithBabar trending. But Indian and Sri Lankan commentators have been merciless, with memes comparing Azam to Kohli’s past struggles. Hasaranga’s celebration video has been viewed over 12 million times. Even former players like Misbah-ul-Haq have urged fans to “give him space,” acknowledging the mental toll of such prolonged failure.
What’s the psychological impact of such a long drought on a top batsman?
Psychologists studying elite athletes say prolonged scoring droughts trigger a feedback loop: fear of failure leads to tighter grip, slower footwork, and premature shots. Azam’s recent scores suggest he’s trying to force boundaries early, which increases the chance of edges. The pressure isn’t just external—it’s internal. He’s no longer playing for the team; he’s playing to prove he’s still the man. That mindset is the hardest to fix.