Ton-Up Babar Azam Leads Pakistan to Series Victory Over Sri Lanka
Summary:
Pakistan secured a series-clinching eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI, propelled by Babar Azam’s unbeaten 102. Ending an 807-day century drought, Babar Azam equaled Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 ODI tons. Key contributions from Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and bowlers Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed sealed the series 2-0 in Rawalpindi.
Ton-up Babar Azam takes Pakistan to series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka in a commanding eight-wicket win during the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. This exceptional performance secured the three-match series with a game still to play. The former Pakistan captain’s unbeaten 102 marked his first ODI century in 807 days, ending a significant drought of 83 innings without a three-figure score.
The Rawalpindi crowd erupted as Babar Azam, under previous scrutiny, reached his milestone in the 47th over. His 119-ball innings, featuring eight boundaries, showcased a blend of patience and poise. This century also saw him equal former opener Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 ODI hundreds for Pakistan, a significant achievement.
Babar Azam’s Century and Partnership
Mohammad Rizwan provided crucial support, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 54 balls, including five fours and a six. The pair forged an unbroken 112-run partnership for the third wicket, efficiently guiding Pakistan past the target with two balls remaining in the 49th over. This partnership underscored Pakistan’s strong batting lineup.
Pakistan’s chase commenced explosively, with openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman racing to 77-0 within the Powerplay. Saim contributed a quick 33 off 25 balls before falling to Dushmantha Chameera. Fakhar Zaman, anchoring the innings with 78 off 93 balls, benefited from several fielding lapses by Sri Lanka, which proved decisive in maintaining Pakistan’s momentum. SindhNews.com noted the impact of these errors.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka was restricted to 288-8. Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Haris Rauf (3-66) and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (3-41), were instrumental. Abrar, returning to the playing XI after illness, stifled Sri Lanka’s top order, while Haris Rauf picked up crucial wickets in the death overs. Janith Liyanage’s valiant half-century and Kamindu Mendis’s counter-punching 44 were the highlights for the visitors.
The match, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed to Friday following a terror attack in Islamabad earlier in the week. Salman Ali Agha, captaining in place of the unwell Shaheen Shah Afridi, elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Pakistan’s consistent bowling attack ensured Sri Lanka never truly broke free to post a higher total.
Conclusion
With this convincing victory, Pakistan has sealed the series, demonstrating strong performances in both batting and bowling departments. Babar Azam’s return to form with a century, ably supported by other key batsmen and a disciplined bowling effort, highlights Pakistan’s readiness for upcoming challenges. The series win underscores the team’s growing confidence and strategic execution.