Babar Azam Ends Century Drought as Pakistan Crush Sri Lanka to Seal ODI Series
RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam roared back to form with a long-awaited century as Pakistan cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Chasing 289, Pakistan made light work of the target, crossing the finish line with 10 balls still remaining and only two wickets down.
The hosts were off to a blazing start thanks to an aggressive opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub. The pair smashed 77 runs in just 9.3 overs before Saim was removed by Dushmantha Chameera for a lively 33 off 25 balls, which included five boundaries and a six.
Babar Azam walked in at No.3 and immediately settled in alongside Fakhar, with the duo keeping the chase firmly under control. Together they added 100 runs before Fakhar fell to Chameera in the 31st over after a well-crafted 78 off 93 balls, decorated with eight fours and a six.
From there on, it was all about Babar. The former captain ended his two-year wait for an international hundred, anchoring the innings with flawless control. He struck an unbeaten 102 from 119 balls, guiding Pakistan to victory by hitting the winning runs in the second-last over.
Mohammad Rizwan played the ideal supporting role, contributing an unbeaten 51 off 54 deliveries. His knock, featuring five fours and a six, helped build a match-winning 112-run stand with Babar. Chameera was the only Sri Lankan bowler to create any real impact, finishing with 2/58.
The commanding victory handed Pakistan a 2-0 lead and secured the series with one game still left to play, scheduled at the same venue on Sunday.
Earlier, stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha’s choice to bowl first paid off as Pakistan’s bowlers kept Sri Lanka to 288/8 despite a fighting half-century from Janith Liyanage.
Sri Lanka began positively with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting on 51 inside the first 10 overs. But their promising start unraveled when Nissanka was run out for 24 while attempting a risky third run. Mishara followed soon after, stumped off Abrar Ahmed for 27.
Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama attempted to rebuild but Abrar struck twice in quick succession, removing Mendis for 20 and skipper Charith Asalanka for six, leaving Sri Lanka stumbling at 98/4.
Liyanage and Samarawickrama carried the innings forward with a 61-run fifth-wicket partnership before the latter was bowled by Haris Rauf after a composed 42 off 52 deliveries.
Liyanage then joined Kamindu Mendis as the pair stitched together another crucial stand worth 73 runs. Liyanage top-scored with 54 off 63 balls, while Kamindu chipped in with a brisk 44 from 38 deliveries. Both, however, departed within nine balls of each other.
Haris Rauf removed Chameera for a duck shortly afterward, further denting Sri Lanka’s hopes at 244/8. Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten 37 off 26 and Pramod Madushan’s 11 not out gave Sri Lanka a late push, but it wasn’t enough against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling unit.
Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Mohammad Wasim Jr added one to his name.
