For a batter who as soon as appeared to make Take a look at a whole lot nearly on demand, Babar Azam’s wait for one more three-figure rating has turn into remarkably lengthy. Babar’s final Take a look at century got here on December 26, 2022, when he made a superb 161 in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. That innings was his ninth Take a look at hundred and capped a exceptional 2022 wherein he scored 1,184 Take a look at runs, together with 4 centuries.Since then, the Pakistan captain has performed 17 Assessments and 36 innings with out reaching 100. The drought has stretched by way of dwelling collection, abroad excursions, modifications in captaincy and a succession of scores that steered a century was at all times across the nook, however by no means fairly arrived.And the newest England collection has added one other chapter. It began instantly after the 161The century drought successfully started within the very subsequent innings after Babar’s 161. He was dismissed for 14 within the second innings of that New Zealand Take a look at, earlier than scoring 24 and 27 within the second Take a look at in Karachi. The 2023 tour of Sri Lanka introduced scores of 13, 24 and 39, whereas the next tour of Australia produced 21, 14, 1, 41, 26 and 23 throughout three Assessments.The 41 at Melbourne was his highest Take a look at rating of the interval on the time, nevertheless it was one other innings that ended earlier than he may construct a considerable rating.
2024: The drought turns right into a disaster
Babar’s struggles turned much more pronounced in 2024. Towards Bangladesh, he managed 0, 22, 31 and 11 throughout the 2 Assessments. Then got here the house collection in opposition to England, the place he made solely 30 within the first Take a look at at Multan. He was dismissed LBW by Chris Woakes on a pitch the place Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique each scored centuries.That 30 prolonged his run of innings with out even a Take a look at fifty. His fortunes lastly modified in South Africa on the finish of the yr. Babar scored 50 within the first Take a look at at Centurion, his first Take a look at fifty for the reason that 161 in opposition to New Zealand, earlier than going one higher within the second Take a look at at Cape City.There, he made 58 within the first innings and 81 within the second, falling 19 runs in need of what would have been his tenth Take a look at century.
2025: Getting shut, however by no means shut sufficient
Babar started 2025 with that 81 in opposition to South Africa as one of many highlights of the yr. Throughout the two-Take a look at collection, he accrued 193 runs, with a better of 81 and three fifties, however nonetheless no century. The sample continued by way of the remainder of the yr. His calendar-year Take a look at numbers have been significantly higher than in 2023 and 2024, however the hundred remained elusive. His finest rating in 2025 was 81.
2026: The largest missed probability – 88 in opposition to West Indies
Within the second Take a look at at Port of Spain, Babar made 88, placing himself simply 12 runs away from the milestone. He was ultimately run out by Brandon King after a mix-up, ending one other promising try at his tenth Take a look at century. Earlier within the collection, he had additionally made 58 not out within the first Take a look at chase, however Pakistan misplaced by 90 runs.Babar’s 193 runs within the two-Take a look at West Indies collection, together with the 88 and an unbeaten 24, briefly lifted him again into the ICC Take a look at prime 10. But the century nonetheless refused to return.
Bangladesh provided one other opening
Earlier than the England tour, Babar additionally scored 68 and 47 within the two-Take a look at collection in opposition to Bangladesh. The 68 was one other helpful contribution, however as soon as once more he failed to show a begin into the hundred that has been lacking from his Take a look at document for practically 4 years.
England: Harm, comeback and one other failure
Babar missed the primary Take a look at in opposition to England at Headingley after struggling a finger harm. Pakistan went on to lose by an innings and 103 runs. He returned for the second Take a look at at Lord’s after declaring himself 90 per cent match.However the comeback has up to now failed to offer the response Pakistan needed. In Pakistan’s first innings at Lord’s, Babar was dismissed for 8, caught by Jordan Cox off Josh Tongue as Pakistan collapsed to 110 all out.Chasing 389 within the second innings, Pakistan once more misplaced Babar early. Jofra Archer’s tempo and bounce pressured a clumsy shot, with the ball ballooning to Jordan Cox at third slip. Babar departed for simply 6.Two innings. Two low scores. Nonetheless no century.
