Pakistan batter Babar Azam's century drought reached 83 innings after his dismissal for 29 runs in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2025. This matches the record held by Virat Kohli for the longest stretch without a hundred in international cricket. Babar's last century came during the Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal, making his wait over 800 days long. Despite a promising start with boundaries against Maheesh Theekshana and a 54-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman, Babar fell to Wanindu Hasaranga's googly that clipped his off-stump. The match marked Sri Lanka's first bilateral ODI tour to Pakistan since 2019. Pakistan, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, posted 299 for 5, powered by Agha Salman's unbeaten 105 and Hussain Talat's 62.
Hasaranga's Googly Ends Babar's Innings at 29
Batting at number three, Babar started confidently with two boundaries off Theekshana, cutting past backward point and driving over cover. He built a 54-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman for the second wicket after Saim Ayub's early dismissal to Asitha Fernando. However, Sri Lankan spinners tightened control as the innings progressed. On 29 from 51 balls, Babar faced a well-disguised googly from Wanindu Hasaranga that turned sharply from outside off. Leaning forward to defend, a small gap appeared between bat and pad, allowing the ball to sneak through and clip the top of his off-stump, continuing his struggle to convert starts into substantial scores.
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