Babar Azam Pulls Off Insane One-Handed Catch Against Sri Lanka

Published On: November 14, 2025

Hey folks, straight off the bat (pun intended) — yes, Babar Azam pulled off a jaw-dropping one-handed catch in the slips during the first ODI of the Pakistan national cricket team vs. Sri Lanka national cricket team series at Rawalpindi on 11 November 2025. But here’s the kicker: while that catch reminded everyone of the class he possesses, Babar’s batting slump continues to hang around like a one-day-old pizza box in the living room.

Table of Contents

The Moment That Stopped Time: Babar Azam’s Catch

Picture this: it’s the 27th over of Sri Lanka’s chase at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the crowd is ticking over, two teams locked in battle. Sadeera Samarawickrama pokes one away from his body off Haris Rauf — the ball flies toward the slip-cordon, and just when you think it’s gone, Babar stretches his right arm, quite literally hangs in the air for a beat, and plucks it clean. One hand. Pure magic.

His teammate-skipper Shaheen Afridi summed it up best: “Babar’s catch was like Superman.” And I mean, if Superman wore cricket whites and fielded at slip, I’d believe it.

The ripple effect? Pakistan grabbed momentum at a critical juncture. Sri Lanka looked to be building something, but that catch ripped the wind out of their sails. Instant shift.

Why That Catch Matters (Beyond the Wow-Factor)

Turning point: Up to that point, Sri Lanka had the scoreboard creeping. That catch severed a partnership and turned the tide firmly Pakistan’s way.
Showing up in the field: In an era when batting numbers dominate headlines, top-order batsmen grabbing a superb catch reminds all of us that cricket is still a team sport — fielding counts. Babar might be in a batting slump now, but that grab showed class.
Mental boost: For Pakistan it was a sign—“Hey, we can dig out big moments.” For Sri Lanka it was a gut-punch. In tight contests, such moments tilt the margin.
Legacy vibes: For someone like Babar Azam, widely regarded among world-class batters, you love seeing him remind people: “I’ve still got the reflexes, the athleticism.” It matters psychologically — for him and for opponents.

But Wait — The Batting Storm Clouds Still Linger

Because yes, while we’re cheering the catch, we can’t ignore that the bat hasn’t been singing for Babar lately. After that immaculate catch, he walked in to bat and managed 29 runs off 51 balls, with three fours.

Here’s the full context:

In his last four ODIs: only 74 runs, averaging 18.50.
And the big one: It’s been 83 innings since his last ODI century. His previous ton? During the Asia Cup 2023 vs. Nepal.
And yes, in doing so, he now matches Virat Kohli’s unwanted record for the most innings without a century in international cricket (for batters of their calibre). Ouch.

So, the dichotomy is glaring: fielding brilliance on one hand (again, pun intended) and batting drought on the other.

What does this Mean For Pakistan’s Campaign?

Morale / team strength: That catch definitely injected energy. When your leader bats, fields, and makes big plays, it influences the dressing room.
Pressure on Babar: The century drought draws headlines for a reason. While a single hundred doesn’t define a career, for someone of his stature it matters. The team, the fans, the analysts — all are watching.
Opportunity for revamp: The good news? Fielding-like moments show he still has it. Perhaps the slump is mental or technical — fresh impetus might turn it around.
Sri Lanka’s alarm: For the visiting side, the fact that Pakistan can switch momentum via fielding plays means they can’t afford to relax even when things look steady.
Broader context: In today’s 50-over game, margins are thin. Batting collapses, ground fielding lapses, missed moments — they get punished. Babar’s catch was a moment of that kind of decisive swing.

Quick Recap in Zombie Format

Match: 1st ODI, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 11 November 2025.
Babar Azam: Took a one-handed catch of Sadeera Samarawickrama off Haris Rauf in the 27th over.
With the bat: Scored 29 (51), contributing to a partnership but still batting slump continues.
Nowmm: 83 innings without a century — major talking point.

Why You Should Care (Yes, you)

Even if you’re not deeply following Pakistan cricket, here’s why this matters:

It highlights the fragility of form. One day you’re grabbing world-class catches, next you’re useless with the bat. Human stuff.
It shows fielding can change matches. In a world full of blur-outs for bowlers and batters, fielding heroics offer fresh storylines.
It speaks to expectations vs reality in sport. Babar Azam occupies a spot where anyone outside his elite circle rarely ventures. So when a drought happens, it becomes big news.
It reminds us that multidimensional players (batting + fielding + leadership) still exist and influence outcomes.

Five Things We’re Watching From Here

Next Batting Inning: Will Babar convert his next start into a fifty or better? A shove past 30 might ease the weight.
Fielding Consistency: That catch was flashy, but can he replicate consistently? A few good days keep the confidence rolling.
Team’s Ingredient Mix: Will Pakistan use Babar’s fielding momentum to influence selection, tactics or morale?
Sri Lanka’s Reaction: They’ll adjust field placements, target his vulnerability perhaps, or shift the game plan.
Media & Fan Pressure: The drought draws scrutiny. How Babar handles external pressure will matter. Support or criticism can affect performance.

FAQs

Q1: When did Babar Azam last score an ODI century?
A1: His last ODI century came during the Asia Cup 2023 (against Nepal). Since then he has gone 83 innings without a ton.

Q2: What exactly was the catch that Babar made?
A2: In the 27th over of Sri Lanka’s run-chase, Samarawickrama edged a Haris Rauf delivery to slip. Babar Azam stretched his right hand out, took a one-handed catch, and the camera briefly paused for everyone’s jaw to drop.

Q3: Did Pakistan win the match?
A3: Yes — the catch helped tilt momentum, and Pakistan edged out Sri Lanka in a tight finish to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Q4: Is Babar Azam only good in the field now and not with the bat?
A4: Not at all — Babar remains a world-class batter with many match-winning innings under his belt. What is happening now is a dip in form (batting), but his fielding catch demonstrates his overall quality still. Slumps happen.

Q5: How important was this catch in the broader context of the game?
A5: Very. It broke a dangerous partnership when Sri Lanka looked to be hunting the target. That moment changed the narrative, gave Pakistan the psychological advantage and helped them defend the total.