Babar Matches Imran With 19th Test Fifty, But Century Drought Persists

RAWALPINDI — Babar Azam’s fifty on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka was both a landmark and a reminder of what remains missing. The Pakistan captain’s 50 off 58 balls, including seven fours, took him to 19 Test scores of fifty or more as captain, drawing him level with Imran Khan on the list of Pakistan captains with the most 50-plus scores in the format.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, a decision that initially appeared questionable as Azan Awais and Tayyab Arif put on 86 for the first wicket. A cluster of quick dismissals brought Babar to the crease, and he responded by adding 69 with Mohammad Taha, contributing 50 of those runs himself. The partnership steadied Pakistan after the openers’ departure and underlined Babar’s value as a captain who can absorb pressure and maintain tempo.

The record places him third on the all-time list for Pakistan captains, behind Misbah-ul-Haq (43) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (21), and level with Imran. Shan Masood sits further back with nine. With a two-Test series underway, Babar has a clear opportunity to move ahead of Imran and strengthen his standing among Pakistan’s most productive Test captains.

Yet the innings also exposed a familiar frustration. Shortly after reaching fifty, Babar was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka, ending an innings in which he had looked comfortable and controlled. The wait for a Test century now stretches back to 2022 against New Zealand — nearly four years without a three-figure score in the format. His most recent international hundred came in November 2025, against Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Rawalpindi, and even that milestone has now passed the one-year mark.

For Pakistan, the pattern is double-edged. Babar’s fifties continue to provide platforms, and his consistency as captain remains a genuine asset. But a player of his caliber is expected to convert those starts into hundreds, particularly on home surfaces where Pakistan need him to turn good beginnings into match-defining totals. The 69-run stand with Taha illustrated his ability to guide the innings; the manner of his dismissal illustrated the difficulty he has had in pressing on.

The immediate priority for Pakistan is the remainder of the series. If Babar can build on Tuesday’s innings and convert a start into a hundred, he will not only surpass Imran’s mark but also address the most persistent question surrounding his Test batting. For now, the record stands as a significant achievement — and a reminder that the bigger milestone remains elusive.