Babar Azam’s latest knock pushed him level with Saeed Anwar’s long‑standing tally of 20 One‑Day International centuries, leaving the Pakistani captain just one hundred away from becoming the nation’s all‑time leader in the format.
Background
Saeed Anwar, the flamboyant left‑hander who dominated the 1990s, set the benchmark for Pakistani ODI batting by amassing 20 centuries before retiring in 2003. His record stood unchallenged for more than two decades, symbolising the golden era of Pakistan’s top‑order firepower.
Babar Azam, who debuted in 2015, has steadily built a reputation for composure, technique and an uncanny ability to chase down targets. By the end of the current series he had already recorded 20 ODI hundreds, matching Anwar’s figure for the first time in his career. The milestone was reached in a home match where Babar’s 110‑run innings anchored Pakistan’s chase, prompting a roar from the crowd at Gaddafi Stadium.
The achievement comes amid a resurgence for Pakistan cricket, with the team climbing the ICC ODI rankings and securing a place in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Babar’s consistency across formats—already the leading run‑scorer for Pakistan in Tests and T20Is—has cemented his status as the side’s modern-day linchpin.
What it means
Surpassing Anwar would not only grant Babar a statistical first but also reshape the narrative of Pakistan’s batting lineage. The record carries symbolic weight; it bridges the era of the 1990s openers with today’s middle‑order maestro, offering fans a tangible link between past glories and present ambitions.
For the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP), the milestone adds commercial appeal. Sponsors and broadcasters view Babar’s growing legend as a driver for higher viewership, especially as the nation prepares for high‑profile series against England and India. A new record could translate into enhanced merchandising opportunities and greater negotiating power for future broadcasting rights.
On the ground, young cricketers in the domestic circuit now have a living benchmark to chase. Coaching academies are already using Babar’s innings as teaching material, emphasizing his shot selection and temperament. The psychological boost for the senior squad is also notable; a captain who is actively rewriting history often inspires confidence in teammates during tight encounters.
What happens next
The next ODI series, slated to begin in early November against a visiting South African side, will provide Babar with a prime platform to chase the elusive 21st century. With the home crowd eager for another landmark, the pressure to deliver will be intense, yet his recent form suggests he is well‑equipped to handle it.
Beyond the immediate match, the record will be a key talking point during Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Should Babar clinch the 21st hundred, his stature as the backbone of the team will be further reinforced, influencing selection policies, batting order strategies, and the broader vision of building a side that can compete consistently on the world stage.