Babar Azam’s Century Drought Heats Up Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Clash with Kohli Shadow
When Mohammad Babar Azam stepped onto the field for Pakistan’s final ODI against West Indies in June 2025, he wasn’t just playing for runs—he was playing for his legacy. The 29-year-old captain, once hailed as the future of Pakistani cricket, has now gone 72 consecutive innings without a century. His last hundred? A blistering 151 against Nepal in August 2023. Since then, he’s compiled 2,139 runs at an average of 31.45—18 fifties, yes, but also six ducks and a string of low scores that have left fans and analysts alike asking: What happened?
The Weight of Comparison
It’s impossible to talk about Babar Azam’s slump without mentioning Virat Kohli. The Indian legend, 36, retired from Test cricket in May 2025 after 123 matches, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries. But here’s the twist: Kohli once endured a 71-inning century drought between November 2019 and September 2022. He came out of it with a 122* in the 2022 Asia Cup—reigniting his career. Babar, by contrast, has seen his form erode further. In the 2025 West Indies series, he scored 47, 0, and 9. Pakistan lost 2-1. Jayden Seales bowled them out for 92 in the final match. The crowd didn’t just boo—they sighed.Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad, 36, didn’t mince words on August 13, 2025, telling India Today: “Virat Kohli comparisons have resulted in Babar Azam’s downfall.” He added that Babar has lost his place in the T20I side and “has failed to live up to his reputation.” That’s not just criticism—it’s a lament from someone who knows the pressure of carrying Pakistan’s batting hopes.
Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
The stats paint a stark contrast:- Kohli (ODIs): 51 centuries, 14,255 runs, average 57.71, fastest to 14,255 runs in history
- Babar (ODIs): 19 centuries, 6,309 runs, average 53.46, fastest to 6,309 runs in history
- Kohli (Tests): 30 centuries, 13 outside Asia
- Babar (Tests): 9 centuries, only one outside the subcontinent
At first glance, Babar’s ODI average is higher. But averages lie when the sample shrinks. Kohli’s 305 ODIs include 75 fifties and 51 hundreds under extreme pressure. Babar’s 136 ODIs? Only 19 hundreds—and his highest score since 2023 is 81. In Tests, his average has dipped to 23.60 since his last century against New Zealand in December 2022. He’s averaging 23.60 in his last 25 innings. That’s not a slump. That’s a collapse.
Cricket analyst Hogg put it bluntly: “Comparing bad form between Babar Azam & Kohli after rumours the Pakistan legend will be dropped for the 2nd test v England is baseless. India: 2nd best win % during Kohli’s draught. Pakistan: 2nd worst win % through Babar’s. Hard decisions need to be made!”
Leadership, Identity, and Mental Fatigue
Babar stepped down as white-ball captain in 2023 after a string of losses. He returned in 2024—only to face more scrutiny. He’s been shuffled between roles: opener, No. 3, anchor, aggressor. No consistency. No clarity. Meanwhile, Kohli, despite never winning an ICC trophy as captain, built India into a feared overseas Test side. Babar’s leadership has coincided with Pakistan’s worst win percentage in white-ball cricket since 2022.“He elevated Pakistan’s batting,” said Azam Khan, another Pakistani batter, in a Times of India piece. But elevation isn’t enough if the foundation cracks. The mental toll is visible. Babar’s once-fluid cover drive now looks hesitant. His footwork against short balls is slow. He stares at the scoreboard more than the bowler.
The Asia Cup Crucible
The Asia Cup 2025United Arab Emirates begins September 9, with the India-Pakistan clash looming like a thunderclap. It’s not just a match—it’s a reckoning. Babar will face the same bowlers who dismissed him for 9 in June. He’ll hear the same chants. The same comparisons. The same ghosts.Experts point to three culprits: technical flaws (his backlift has tightened), mental fatigue (six years as a consistent top-order batter), and constant role changes. He’s been asked to be a finisher, a stabilizer, a aggressor—all without rest. No one’s asking him to be Kohli. But the world keeps comparing him to him.
What Comes Next?
Reports suggest Babar may be recalled to the T20I side for the Asia Cup—a tactical move to reset his confidence. But if he fails again, will the selectors drop him? Will the fans turn? The 2025 Asia Cup isn’t just about trophies. It’s about identity. For Pakistan, it’s about whether Babar Azam still belongs at the top.He won the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2022. Now, he’s fighting to be remembered as anything more than a statistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Babar Azam’s current form compare to Virat Kohli’s century drought?
Kohli’s 71-inning drought (2019–2022) ended with a match-winning 122* in the 2022 Asia Cup, sparking a resurgence. Babar’s 72-inning drought is longer, with no such breakthrough. Kohli’s win rate during his drought was India’s second-best ever; Pakistan’s win rate under Babar is the second-worst. Kohli also scored 13 centuries outside Asia; Babar has just one.
Why has Babar Azam lost his place in the T20I team?
Babar’s strike rate in T20Is has dipped to 129.8—below his career average—and he’s struggled against pace in the powerplay. His last T20I century was in 2022. With younger players like Saud Shakeel and Azam Khan showing more aggression, the selectors opted for firepower over consistency. His exclusion was a direct result of performance, not just comparison.
What are the chances Babar regains his form before the Asia Cup?
The odds are slim. He’s had no domestic or warm-up centuries since 2023, and his recent net sessions show tentative footwork. But cricket is unpredictable. If he opens the innings in the first Asia Cup match and scores 70+ without getting out, the narrative could shift overnight. Confidence, not technique, is what he needs most now.
Is Babar Azam’s captaincy to blame for his poor form?
Not directly—but the pressure has compounded it. Babar has captained in 43 ODIs since 2021, with a win rate of just 42%. Pakistan’s win percentage under him is the second-worst in the team’s history for that format. Leadership demands mental bandwidth he may no longer have. His 2023 resignation wasn’t a failure—it was survival.
What does this mean for Pakistan’s chances in the Asia Cup?
Without Babar firing, Pakistan’s top order is fragile. If he scores under 30 against India on September 9, it could trigger a collapse in momentum. Their only real strength is pace—Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf—but without a solid anchor like Babar, they’re vulnerable to India’s spin-heavy attack. The team’s fate hinges on one man’s rediscovery.
Could Babar Azam be dropped after the Asia Cup?
If he scores two fifties and no centuries, he’ll likely stay—but as a non-captain. If he fails again, especially against India, the selectors may phase him out for younger talent like Abdullah Shafique or Iftikhar Ahmed. His Test future is already in doubt. The Asia Cup isn’t just a tournament—it’s his last audition.