List of International Centuries by Babar Azam

Babar Azam has been Pakistan's batting cornerstone for nearly a decade, and his collection of international centuries places him among the finest batters of his generation. Through 2026, the former Pakistan captain has piled up more than thirty hundreds across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, combining classical technique with modern scoring rates.

What sets Babar apart is his mastery of all three formats. While many modern batters specialise, Babar has maintained elite standards in Tests, one-dayers and T20 internationals simultaneously. His cover drive is widely regarded as the most beautiful shot in contemporary cricket, but it is his consistency, rather than his elegance, that built his century count.

Babar Azam's International Centuries by Format

In ODIs, Babar has been Pakistan's most reliable century-maker. His nineteen one-day hundreds include a magnificent 158 against England at Birmingham, an innings that showcased his full range against high-quality pace bowling. He reached 5000 ODI runs faster than almost anyone in history, and his hundreds have come against every major nation.

Memorable Test Hundreds

Babar's Test centuries include a fighting 196 against Australia at Karachi, one of the great fourth-innings efforts in recent memory. Batting for more than ten hours to save the match, he showed a defensive technique and concentration that silenced doubts about his red-ball credentials.

His first Test hundred came against New Zealand in Dubai in 2018, and he has since scored centuries in Australia, England and the West Indies. His ability to adapt his game to seaming English conditions and bouncy Australian pitches marks him as a complete Test batter.

T20I Centuries

In the shortest format, Babar's 122 against South Africa at Centurion in 2021 remains Pakistan's highest individual T20I score. Chasing 204, he anchored the innings with a masterclass in pacing a run chase, proving that classical batting still has a place in T20 cricket.

His T20I hundreds are notable because he is often criticised for a modest strike rate in the format. Yet when the situation demands, he has shown he can score at well over ten runs per over while maintaining his shape and composure.

Records and Milestones

Babar held the number one ICC ODI batting ranking for an extended period, the first Pakistani to do so in the modern era. He is the fastest Asian batter to 5000 ODI runs and among the quickest ever to nineteen ODI centuries in terms of innings played.

His nineteen ODI hundreds put him clear of every other Pakistani batter in the format's history except Saeed Anwar's long-standing records for big scores. In terms of consistency, his ODI average has hovered near 57 for much of his career, extraordinary by any standard.

Captaincy Years

Babar captained Pakistan across formats during a turbulent period, leading the team to the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2021 and the final in 2022. While the captaincy brought scrutiny, his personal batting rarely suffered, and several of his finest hundreds came while carrying the extra responsibility.

He eventually stepped down to focus on his batting, a decision that has allowed him to return to piling up runs without the distractions of leadership. His century rate since relinquishing the captaincy suggests the move was the right one for his career longevity.

Comparison with Contemporaries

Babar is invariably compared with Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, the other members of modern cricket's elite batting group. While his Test numbers do not yet match Smith or Root, his white-ball record, particularly in ODIs, stands with anyone in the world.

What distinguishes Babar is his calm temperament. He rarely plays a rash shot, rarely gets involved in controversy, and lets his bat do the talking. In an era of aggressive batting, his classical approach has been both his identity and his strength.

FAQs

How many international centuries does Babar Azam have?

Babar Azam has more than thirty international centuries across formats: nine in Tests, nineteen in ODIs and three in T20Is through 2026.

What is Babar Azam's highest international score?

His highest Test score is 196 against Australia at Karachi, while his best ODI score is 158 against England at Birmingham.

What is Pakistan's highest individual T20I score?

Babar Azam's 122 against South Africa at Centurion in 2021 is Pakistan's highest individual score in T20 internationals.

How many ODI centuries does Babar Azam have?

Babar Azam has nineteen ODI centuries, among the most by any Pakistani batter in the format's history.

Was Babar Azam ever ranked number one in ODIs?

Yes. Babar Azam held the number one spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings for an extended period, a first for Pakistan in the modern era.

Did Babar Azam captain Pakistan?

Yes. Babar captained Pakistan across formats, leading the team to the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2021 and the final in 2022, before stepping down to focus on batting.