1,300 Days and Counting: The Prolonged Test Century Drought of Babar Azam
For a batter once synonymous with technical grace and an insatiable appetite for three-figure scores, the current state of Babar Azam’s Test career is one of profound mystery. What was once a routine task—reaching a century—has transformed into a grueling, multi-year odyssey that continues to challenge one of modern cricket’s most celebrated talents.
A Golden Era Turned Gray
The memories of Babar’s dominance feel like a lifetime ago. On December 26, 2022, he anchored the Pakistan innings against New Zealand in Karachi with a brilliant 161. That effort marked his ninth Test hundred and served as the crescendo to a stellar 2022 campaign, during which he amassed 1,184 runs.
Few could have predicted that his next three-figure score would remain elusive for well over 1,300 days. Since that innings, Babar has navigated 17 Tests and 36 innings, enduring a stretch defined by near-misses, shifting team dynamics, and a persistent inability to cross the final hurdle.
The Anatomy of a Drought
The decline began almost immediately following his Karachi masterclass. Following that 161, he managed scores of 14, 24, and 27 against the Black Caps. The trend continued through tours of Sri Lanka and Australia, where Babar often looked comfortable before throwing away his wicket. A promising 41 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground remained his peak for some time, yet even that served as a microcosm of his struggles: a flashy start cut short before maturity could set in.
By 2024, the situation had escalated into a crisis. Series against Bangladesh and a home tour against England saw him struggle to convert starts into significant totals. A rare bright spot finally emerged in South Africa, where he rediscovered some rhythm with scores of 50, 58, and 81. While those performances provided a glimmer of hope, they only amplified the frustration as he finished agonizingly close to his 10th Test century without actually reaching it.
The “So Close” Syndrome
The pattern of 2025 was defined by proximity without completion. Despite showing improved form throughout the year, Babar found himself repeatedly thwarted by the cricketing gods. The most heart-wrenching moment arrived in the second Test at Port of Spain against the West Indies. After cruising to 88, he was dismissed by a calamitous run-out, once again halting his momentum just 12 runs shy of the milestone.
Current Woes and the England Challenge
The latest chapter in this long-running saga has been particularly difficult. After missing the first Test against England at Headingley due to a finger injury, Babar returned to the fold at Lord’s, hoping to anchor a fragile batting lineup.
Instead, the comeback has been humbling. In a display where Pakistan struggled significantly against the moving ball, Babar fell for 8 in the first innings and 6 in the second—the latter a top-edged shot against Jofra Archer that signaled a lack of confidence.
As the Babar Azam century drought continues to dominate the headlines, the question is no longer just about statistics. It is about the mental and technical recalibration required for a world-class player to reclaim the form that once made him the most consistent centurion in the game. For now, the three-figure mark remains the most elusive destination in his professional life.
