Babar Azam is on the verge of claiming Pakistan's outright record for the most centuries in One Day International cricket. With 20 ODI hundreds to his name, he is currently level with former Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar, who held the national record for years.
Babar drew level with Anwar on November 14, 2025, when he scored an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His innings helped Pakistan chase down a target of 289 runs and secure an eight-wicket victory.
One more century would put Babar alone at the top of Pakistan's ODI hundreds list.
What makes Babar's achievement particularly notable is how quickly he matched Anwar's tally. Babar needed just 136 innings to score his first 20 ODI centuries, compared with the 244 innings Anwar took to reach the same number.
Since making his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in May 2015, Babar has built his reputation around consistent run-scoring and a technically assured batting style. His performances have helped him become one of Pakistan's most prominent players across international formats.
His achievements have also received international recognition. In 2022, Babar won the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award, recognising his performances in the 50-over format.
Saeed Anwar's 20 ODI centuries stood as a benchmark for Pakistan batters for more than two decades. Babar's rise to the same figure has brought a long-standing national record within reach of a new generation of cricketers.
The potential record also highlights the different eras represented by the two batters.
Anwar was renowned for his elegant stroke play and ability to produce substantial innings, while Babar has built his own legacy through sustained performances in modern international cricket. For Babar, the next century would be more than another entry in his career statistics.
Babar Azam is on the verge of claiming Pakistan’s outright record for the most centuries in One Day International cricket.
Babar Azam is on the verge of claiming Pakistan's outright record for the most centuries in One Day International cricket. With 20 ODI hundreds to his name, he is currently level with former Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar, who held the national record for years.
Babar drew level with Anwar on November 14, 2025, when he scored an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. His innings helped Pakistan chase down a target of 289 runs and secure an eight-wicket victory.
One more century would put Babar alone at the top of Pakistan's ODI hundreds list.
What makes Babar's achievement particularly notable is how quickly he matched Anwar's tally. Babar needed just 136 innings to score his first 20 ODI centuries, compared with the 244 innings Anwar took to reach the same number.
Since making his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in May 2015, Babar has built his reputation around consistent run-scoring and a technically assured batting style. His performances have helped him become one of Pakistan's most prominent players across international formats.
His achievements have also received international recognition. In 2022, Babar won the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award, recognising his performances in the 50-over format.
Saeed Anwar's 20 ODI centuries stood as a benchmark for Pakistan batters for more than two decades. Babar's rise to the same figure has brought a long-standing national record within reach of a new generation of cricketers.
The potential record also highlights the different eras represented by the two batters.
Anwar was renowned for his elegant stroke play and ability to produce substantial innings, while Babar has built his own legacy through sustained performances in modern international cricket. For Babar, the next century would be more than another entry in his career statistics.
