Babar’s Century Drought Reaches 71 Innings
Babar’s latest ODI failure against West Indies has extended his wait for a century to 71 innings. Since his last hundred — a fluent 151 against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup — Pakistan’s batting anchor has been unable to cross three figures in any format.
In the second ODI against West Indies, Babar was dismissed for a three-ball duck, the fifth golden score of his ODI career. His previous duck came in August 2023 against Afghanistan, a setback he quickly overcame then with back-to-back fifties and his last century. This time, however, the revival is yet to arrive.
Decline in ODI Output Since 2023
Before this slump, Babar was among the most reliable run-scorers in world cricket. Between 2015 and 2022, he compiled 4,664 ODI runs at an average of 59.8 and a strike rate close to 90. Since the start of 2023, however, the numbers tell a different story.
In his last 28 ODI innings, he has scored 929 runs at 37.16 with a strike rate of 79.53. Both figures fall well short of his career standards of 54.62 and 87.78. Although he has managed nine half-centuries in this period, the highest of them has been 78. In the last two years, only a handful of batters with over 1,000 ODI runs — including Rassie van der Dussen and Ibrahim Zadran — have scored more slowly than Babar.
Struggles Across All Formats
Babar’s downturn is not confined to ODIs. In Tests since the 2023 Asia Cup, he has averaged just 23.15 in 10 matches, registering three fifties but no centuries. His T20I record in the same period — 738 runs at 33.54 and a strike rate of 133.21 from 24 games — is solid but far from spectacular for a top-order player. The lack of a defining innings has put his role under scrutiny. Once Pakistan’s most bankable batter, he is now being described by critics as a player struggling to adapt to modern scoring demands.
Impact on Pakistan’s ODI Structure
Historically, Babar’s style revolved around patient accumulation, steady strike rotation, and preserving his wicket. In a 50-over context, this anchor role can be invaluable — provided the player consistently bats deep and converts starts. The problem for Pakistan is that Babar’s consistency has dipped, while his tempo has not improved.
When the anchor fails to produce big scores, the middle order is forced to take on more risk earlier than planned. This has been evident in Pakistan’s recent major tournaments, including their underwhelming Champions Trophy defence on home soil.
Questions Over Future Role
The drought has also coincided with Babar’s turbulent captaincy journey — stepping down, returning, and being left out of certain formats. Former players like Shoaib Akhtar have publicly questioned his intent to evolve his game. With Pakistan ranked among the top ODI sides but struggling for middle-order stability, the pressure on Babar to break the cycle is immense.
The next few months could prove decisive. Pakistan face crucial World Cup Super League fixtures, and a resurgent Babar could restore balance to the batting order. For now, however, the wait for his 32nd international hundred — nearly two years in the making — continues.
Can Babar Find His Old Rhythm?
Babar has always responded strongly to criticism in the past. If he can rediscover his boundary-hitting rhythm while maintaining his ability to rotate strike, he remains capable of dominating attacks. The real test will be whether he can adapt quickly enough to meet the demands of today’s faster-scoring ODI era. Pakistan’s fans and selectors will be hoping the answer comes sooner rather than later.
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