Babar Azam and Virat Kohli - (Source: Johns/X.com)
On Friday, November 14, Babar Azam finally ended his century drought as the right-handed batter registered a three-figure score after 83 innings. The former Pakistan batter slammed a brilliant unbeaten 102 (119) and won the player of the match award for his performance.
It was an emotional outing for Babar Azam as the right-handed batter was under a lot of scrutiny for looking like a pale shadow of his prime version and failing to score big runs for the Men in Green.
Babar enjoyed his moment as the entire stadium was on their feet to celebrate Azam's 20th ODI ton. Further, the right-handed batter hogged the internet after he copied Virat Kohli's celebration, which his Indian counterpart did after ending his century curse.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on three similarities between Babar's drought end and Virat Kohli's century curse.
1. Similar Celebration
When Virat Kohli ended his century drought against Afghanistan on September 8 during the 2022 Asia Cup, he slammed his maiden T20I hundred. Virat ended his wait of 1019 days for a century, and it was an emotional moment for him as well.
Virat extended his arms in gratitude towards the dressing room and passed a smile, which was followed by kissing his locket. Similarly, Babar Azam emulated Virat Kohli and extended his arms with a smile in a similar fashion and also kissed the locket.
2. 83 innings to end the Century drought
Before Sri Lanka's 2nd ODI, Babar Azam's last international century came on 30 August 2023 against Nepal when the right-handed batter scored 151 (131). Since then, it had been 82 innings since his last ton, and he finally ended his century curse in his 83rd innings.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored his 70th hundred on 22nd November 2019 and slammed his 71st ton in 2022 T20 Asia Cup on September 8, 2022, which was also 83 innings.
Thus, both players took exactly 83 innings to break their century drought, which is the mother of all coincidences.
3. Picks Asian side to end their century curse
Notably, Virat Kohli ended his century drought against Afghanistan in 2022 Asia Cup, whereas Babar Azam too picked up an Asian side to reach the triple-figure mark against Sri Lanka. Interestingly, during the drought phase for both cricketers, they played against several nations, top-nations across continents, but destiny had it that they end their drought against an Asian side.
