3 Slowest ODI hundreds of Babar Azam

Babar Azam is widely regarded as one of the most prolific batters to emerge from Pakistan in the modern era. At his peak, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the very best, scoring runs in hostile conditions away from home. He built a reputation for himself by the sheer weight of his performances. He was compared to Virat Kohli, which remains the case, but his consistency has wavered over the last few years.

A dip in form saw him dropped from Tests and T20Is, yet Babar remains determined to fight his way back to the top. ODI cricket has long been his strongest suit, and his record, an average of 53.43 despite enduring lean patches, still makes him the benchmark for Pakistan’s next generation of batters. 

But criticism has often followed him for not accelerating as fluently as some contemporaries, leading to centuries that, while valuable, came at a pace that raised eyebrows. On that note, let's take a closer look at three of Babar's slowest ODI hundreds:

1. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 16, 2017

Still finding his feet in ODI cricket, Babar crafted a painstaking century at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. He reached three figures off 130 balls, eventually scoring 101 from 133 deliveries with just six boundaries at a strike rate of 75.93. Pakistan posted 219, but the bowlers ensured Babar's slow tempo didn’t cost them, dismissing Sri Lanka for a paltry total of 187.

2. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 13, 2017

Just days earlier in the same series, Babar had battled his way to another slow hundred. This time around, he took 128 balls to reach the milestone, finishing on 103 with five fours and no sixes, striking at 78.62 before falling to Suranga Lakmal. Pakistan's innings received an injection of momentum from Shoaib Malik’s brisk 81 off 61 balls. Malik was announced as the Player of the Match in an 83‑run win for Pakistan.

3. New Zealand vs Pakistan, June 26, 2019

Though slower in pace, this knock remains one of Babar’s finest. Chasing 238 in a World Cup clash at Edgbaston, Pakistan were wobbling at 110/3. Babar’s 101 not out from 127 balls, which came at a strike rate of 79.52, steadied the ship. His 126‑run stand with Haris Sohail proved crucial, guiding Pakistan to victory on a tricky surface. He was named the Player of the Match.