For a batter who once appeared to reach triple figures with routine consistency, the current Test match landscape for
The milestone that remains elusive is his 10th Test century. His last successful conversion occurred on December 26, 2022, when he struck a commanding 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. That performance served as the pinnacle of a prolific 2022, during which he accumulated 1,184 Test runs and four centuries. Since that innings, however, the rhythm that once characterized his batting has been interrupted by a series of near-misses and lean patches.
A Long-Running Struggle for Conversion
Following that 161 in Karachi, the dry spell began almost immediately. Subsequent tours of Sri Lanka and Australia saw Babar record a string of scores that failed to reach the century mark, with a top score of 41 during the Melbourne Test. The frustration deepened throughout 2024, as he struggled to find his footing against Bangladesh and England, eventually enduring a period where he failed to register even a half-century.
His form showed signs of a resurgence during the tour of South Africa, where he recorded scores of 50, 58, and 81. Despite these contributions, the elusive 10th century remained just out of reach. The trend of promising starts failing to materialize into triple figures continued into 2026, most notably during the series against the West Indies. In the second Test at Port of Spain, Babar looked set to break the streak, reaching 88 before a mix-up resulted in a run-out by Brandon King, leaving him just 12 runs shy of the milestone.
Recent Setbacks and Return to Action
The narrative of the drought has been further complicated by fitness concerns. After missing the opening Test against England at Headingley due to a finger injury, Babar returned for the second Test at Lord's, declaring himself 90 percent fit. However, the comeback did not provide the desired impact for the team. In a match where Pakistan struggled, he was dismissed for 8 in the first innings and managed only 6 in the second, falling to the pace and bounce of Jofra Archer.
While Babar has continued to contribute useful runs—including a 68 against Bangladesh and a 58 not out against the West Indies—the absence of a century has become a significant talking point. Having played 17 Tests since his last hundred, the focus remains on whether he can rediscover the conversion rate that previously established him as one of the world's premier Test batters.
