Can Babar Azam Break Virat Kohli's Record Of 50 ODI Centuries?

Babar Azam has 19 ODI centuries, compared to 50 by Kohli [X] Babar Azam has 19 ODI centuries, compared to 50 by Kohli [X]

For a long period of time, reaching 50 centuries in ODI was a monumental task. The only person who came close to it was India's Sachin Tendulkar, who had 49 hundred in ODIs under his name.

The record stood for almost 12 years, before another Indian, Virat Kohli broke the record and became the first person in ODI hstory to have registered 50 ODI tons.

India's neighbour, Pakistan have also produced some quality ODI batters over the years, but none better than Babar Azam. The Pakistan batting maestro has 19 tons, and already averages in excess of 50.

However, the big question is, will he break Kohli's record of 50 ODI hundreds?

In terms of skills, there is no doubt that Babar is right at the top in Pakistan cricket. Also, he started his ODI career at a rapid pace, and already has racked up 19 tons, to go with 32 half-centuries, at an astonishing average of 56.72.


The numbers tell a different tale altogether

The numbers do tell that the white-ball skipper of Pakistan is a supremely talented batter, but numbers don't tell the entire story. His form across formats has dipped massively. In 25 matches in 2023, Babar has scored 1065 runs, but the majority of them came in the first half of the season. He had an average 50-over World Cup, and failed to register a single hundred.

Also, the other factor that goes against him, is the fact that the number of ODIs in general have reduced. With the advent of franchise cricket, boards prefer organizing T20I series, and even players prefer to play franchise cricket.

For example, in 2024, Babar is yet to play an ODI game, and we are more than half-way through the year.

Nothing is impossible, but Babar needs 32 more ODI centuries to surpass Kohli, which at this stage looks impossible.