Babar Azam Ends 807-Day Century Drought With Match-Winning 102 as Pakistan Seal ODI Series Against Sri Lanka

Babar Azam finally broke his long-standing drought in One-day International cricket by scoring an unbeaten 102, ending an 807-day wait for a century. His composed and determined knock guided Pakistan to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, securing the three-match series with one game remaining.

The former Pakistan captain, who had been under significant pressure after going 83 innings without reaching triple figures, delivered a controlled performance marked by timing, discipline, and calculated stroke play. He anchored the innings from the start, facing 119 balls and finding the boundary eight times while keeping Pakistan firmly in control of the chase.

Babar reached his long-anticipated century in the 47th over, pulling pacer Pramod Madushan toward midwicket for a single. The moment he crossed the milestone, he dropped to his knees in prostration, overwhelmed with emotion, before embracing Mohammad Rizwan at the non-striker’s end. The Rawalpindi crowd responded with thunderous applause, celebrating the end of his prolonged wait and witnessing a return to form from one of Pakistan’s most celebrated batters.