The roar of the crowd in Rawalpindi was less a cheer for a victory and more a collective, heaving sigh of relief for a nation. When Babar Azam punched that ball through the covers to bring up his landmark century in the 2nd ODI Rawalpindi against Sri Lanka, it felt like the end of the most excruciating period of his already brilliant career. For months, the phrase Babar Azam Century Drought had haunted every analysis, every post-match show, and every fan’s worried conversation.

But this innings wasn’t just a number—it was a definitive roar from the Babar Azam Maestro, silencing the ridiculous whispers of doubt and catapulting him straight into the history books by tying the legendary Babar Azam Saeed Anwar Record. This hundred, achieved with that classic Babar grace under the most intense Pressure imaginable, wasn’t just a blip on the scorecard; it was the powerful re-affirmation that the world’s premier White-ball cricket batsman still has the unique heart and talent required to single-handedly win a match. The drought, often dramatically and unfairly labelled the 83 Innings Failure, now stands merely as a necessary struggle preceding a monumental historical achievement: matching Saeed Anwar’s formidable tally of Pakistan ODI Centuries.

🤯 The Weight of 83: Anatomy of the Longest Babar Azam Century Drought

If you want to know the true measure of a champion, don’t look at their peaks—look at how they survive the absolute pits. For a player who literally sets global benchmarks for consistency, an 83-innings stretch across all formats without a triple-digit score felt like an eternity. Honestly, the narrative began to get ugly: was the Maestro losing his signature touch? Was the unforgiving burden of expectation and captaincy simply too much?

The psychological impact of a run like that is impossible for us to truly comprehend. Every time he got out in the 70s or 80s, the public debate reached a fever pitch. Unlike a younger or lower-ranked player, the expectation on Babar is not just to score runs, it’s to score match-winning hundreds. This entire period of the 83 Innings Failure was a severe, public test of his incredible mental Resilience. It’s the kind of pressure few players in the modern game have had to live through. Babar carried the emotional weight of a cricket-mad country on his shoulders, and the longer the Babar Azam Century Drought persisted, the heavier that collective weight became. The century in the 2nd ODI Rawalpindi was thus more than a score; it was a deeply personal, cathartic, and collective release of tension.

🖼️ The Rawalpindi Masterpiece: Why This Century Was Different

The innings itself was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Babar Azam: authoritative, beautiful, risk-averse, yet relentlessly punishing against anything loose. It wasn’t some ugly, desperate slog for the line; it was a measured work of art built on an absolutely flawless technique.

On a surface at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium that demanded respect and concentration, Babar showed the world why he is considered an artist with the bat. His timing was crisp, and the sight of his majestic cover drive was truly Poetry in Motion. He expertly picked up singles and doubles, never allowing the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle, before finally shifting gears and accelerating seamlessly in the late overs. The key factor here is that he did this under pressure, helping the team set a truly challenging total that ultimately proved decisive. This was the performance of a genuine Match-winner, demonstrating both the incredible patience to absorb pressure early on and the explosive power to dominate when it mattered most.

👑 The Historical Context: Tying the Pakistan ODI Centuries Record

This is the part that will be engraved in stone. By scoring his 20th ODI century, Babar Azam drew level with the legendary Saeed Anwar for the most Pakistan ODI Centuries.

The comparative speed is simply astonishing. Saeed Anwar will always be one of the most iconic stroke-makers Pakistan has ever produced, but Babar has reached the very same summit in almost half the innings. This statistic isn’t just trivia; it powerfully highlights the generational shift and Babar’s sheer, unparalleled efficiency in White-ball cricket. The Babar Azam Saeed Anwar Record is more than a simple numerical tie; it perfectly symbolizes Babar’s arrival as the modern, high-volume standard-bearer for Pakistan ODI Centuries, brilliantly continuing the legacy of attacking, world-class batting established by players like Anwar decades ago.

🔢 From ‘Failure’ to ‘Fastest’: The Statistical Rebuttal of the Maestro

The media noise and public fixation on the Babar Azam Century Drought—the so-called 83 Innings Failure—conveniently ignored his underlying, world-class excellence. Even during that drought, Babar was consistently churning out vital half-centuries, maintaining a truly elite batting average well above 50. The fact remains: Babar Azam is historically among the fastest players in the game’s history to reach numerous career milestones (2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ODI runs). This century acts as the perfect, powerful statistical rebuttal to all the negativity. It fully reaffirms his remarkable conversion rate compared to his peers and puts him firmly back where he belongs—among the global ODI elite, where his average and consistency are genuinely rivalled by only a handful of players in history.

🚀 Conclusion: What’s Next for the Maestro?

The century in the 2nd ODI Rawalpindi wasn’t just a personal win; it was a desperately needed, huge injection of confidence for the entire Pakistani team. The breaking of the Babar Azam Century Drought clears the mental slate for the captain and star batsman, allowing him to focus solely on the team’s massive goals ahead. With the Babar Azam Saeed Anwar Record now tied, the obvious next step—and the next guaranteed headline—will be breaking it. The Babar Azam Maestro has just proven that his mental resilience is every bit as potent and reliable as his signature cover drive. This historic, drought-ending innings serves as a loud reminder that true champions don’t stop scoring runs; they merely take a powerful, visible breath before their next statement of dominance. For Babar Azam, the agonising wait is finally over. The real, defining legacy, however, is just getting started.

The ongoing India vs Australia cricket series has delivered high-octane action, but one subplot that’s capturing headlines is the return of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. After being benched in the initial ODIs, Kuldeep’s inclusion in the third match has reignited discussions about India’s spin strategy and his role in the team’s future.

🏏 India vs Australia: A Series of Twists

The bilateral series between India and Australia has been anything but predictable. With both teams experimenting ahead of the T20 World Cup, the matches have seen a mix of youth and experience. India, led by Shubman Gill in the ODIs and Suryakumar Yadav in the T20Is, has shown flashes of brilliance but also faced setbacks—especially in the first ODI loss at Perth The Indian Express.

Australia, captained by Mitchell Marsh, has fielded a power-packed lineup with names like Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Tim David. Their aggressive approach has tested India’s bowling depth, particularly in seam-friendly conditions.

🔁 Kuldeep Yadav: From Sidelines to Spotlight

Initially left out of the playing XI in the first two ODIs, Kuldeep Yadav was finally brought into the squad for the third ODI after an injury to all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy NDTV Sports. His selection wasn’t just a tactical move—it was a response to growing calls from fans and analysts who questioned India’s reluctance to use a proven match-winner in spin-friendly conditions.

Kuldeep’s wrist spin offers a unique edge, especially against aggressive Australian batters who prefer pace on the ball. His ability to turn the game with middle-over breakthroughs makes him a valuable asset, particularly on slower pitches like those in Sydney and Adelaide.

📊 Why Kuldeep’s Role Matters

• Middle-over control: Kuldeep’s variations disrupt partnerships and slow down scoring.
• Left-arm wrist spin rarity: Few bowlers in world cricket offer his angle and deception.
• Proven record vs Australia: He has consistently troubled Aussie batters in past encounters.

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, India’s management will be closely watching his performances. If he delivers, Kuldeep could cement his place not just in the playing XI, but in India’s long-term white-ball plans.

📺 What’s Next in the Series?

As the T20Is unfold, fans can expect more surprises. India’s young guns like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are making their mark, while veterans like Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma provide stability Pragativadi. Whether Kuldeep continues to feature will depend on pitch conditions and team balance—but his recent inclusion suggests the tide may be turning in his favor.

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Introduction

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has reached its thrilling climax, and cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the final showdown between the Multan Sultans and Islamabad United. As the two teams battle it out on the field, let’s delve into the stats, strategies, and key players to determine who has the edge in this high-stakes clash.

Recent Encounters

Before we analyze the teams, let’s revisit their recent encounters:

1. Match 27 (March 10, 2024): Islamabad United vs. Multan Sultans
   • Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
   • Result: Islamabad United won by 3 wickets
   • Player of the Match: Colin Munro (IU)
   • Summary: Multan Sultans posted a formidable 228/4, but Islamabad United chased down the target with Munro’s explosive 84 off 40 balls¹.
2. Match 5 (February 20, 2024): Multan Sultans vs. Islamabad United
   • Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium
   • Result: Multan Sultans won by 5 wickets
   • Player of the Match: M. Ali (MS)
   • Summary: Multan restricted Islamabad to 144, and their batsmen secured a comfortable victory².

Key Players

Let’s spotlight some standout performers from both teams:

Multan Sultans

• Usman Khan: The explosive opener has been in scintillating form, scoring back-to-back centuries. His unbeaten 100 against Islamabad United was a masterclass.
• Mohammad Ali: The left-arm pacer has consistently troubled opposition batsmen. His 3-wicket haul in the last encounter was crucial for Multan.

Islamabad United

• Colin Munro: The hard-hitting New Zealander is a game-changer. His 84 in the previous match powered Islamabad’s run chase.
• Shadab Khan: The skipper’s all-round abilities make him a vital cog in the United lineup.

Conclusion

The PSL 9 final is a battle of skill, nerves, and determination. Whether it’s the Sultans’ power-packed batting or United’s balanced lineup, cricket fans are in for a treat. Buckle up for an exhilarating showdown as we await the crowning of the PSL 9 champion! 🏏🏆