By Alam Zeb Safi
RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam hammered his first international century in more than two years as Pakistan’s senior batters made light work of a 289-run chase, sealing a comfortable eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka’s middle order had dragged their total to 288 for 8 after early hiccups, but on a flat track their bowlers never looked close to defending it. Pakistan cruised home with ten balls to spare, sealing a 2–0 series lead with one match remaining in the ODI series.
Babar’s unbeaten 102 off 119 balls, his 20th ODI hundred, was significant not just for ending a drought that stretched back to May 2023 but also for equaling Saeed Anwar’s record for the most ODI centuries by a Pakistan batter. He was especially productive through cover and midwicket, scoring 61 runs and hitting six of his eight fours in those regions. At no stage did he appear troubled; Sri Lanka had gone in a bowler short, and their seam attack struggled badly on the night. The required rate remained comfortably in check throughout.
While Babar’s century headlined the chase, all four of Pakistan’s top-order batters contributed. Saim Ayub launched the innings briskly with 33 off 25 balls, before Fakhar Zaman’s composed 78 off 93 consolidated the start. Zaman added 100 with Babar after which Mohammad Rizwan joined the captain to close out the match in an unbroken 112-run partnership. Rizwan finished 52 not out off 51.
Sri Lanka’s problems began early in both innings. Put in to bat, they slumped to 90 for 3 by the 20th over and soon slipped further to 98 for 4. Useful contributions from Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, and Wanindu Hasaranga—each scoring between 37 and 54—helped lift them to a respectable total, with Liyanage the only batter to reach a half-century. Hasaranga once again bolstered the death overs, but 289 always felt a chaseable score.
It looked even more so when Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers were wayward. Asitha Fernando conceded runs at 10 an over during the powerplay, while Pramod Madushan—playing his first international match in 18 months—gave up 19 in his first two overs. By the eighth over, with Charith Asalanka already forced into alternate plans, Pakistan were cruising at 73 without loss.
Fielding woes compounded Sri Lanka’s problems on a cold evening. Asitha Fernando dropped a straightforward catch at long-off to reprieve Zaman on 21, and Liyanage shelled another chance in the same region two overs later. Zaman was dropped a third time on 78, though he fell the very next ball. Babar also survived an early scare on 5 when Madushan failed to hold a return catch. After a slow start—12 from his first 22 balls—Babar found his rhythm with a crisp straight drive off Madushan in the 16th over and advanced smoothly thereafter. Even the experienced pair of Asitha and Dushmantha Chameera struggled for consistency, allowing Pakistan’s chase to progress with minimal resistance.
Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s top wicket-taker in the previous match, appeared to be carrying a back issue and left the field twice for treatment. With the seamers leaking runs, Pakistan were content to play him carefully.
Zaman’s innings included periods—particularly after reaching fifty—when boundaries dried up, but Sri Lanka never managed to apply sustained pressure. The final 15 overs were virtually frictionless for Babar and Rizwan as they guided Pakistan home.
Earlier, legspinner Abrar Ahmed had been Pakistan’s standout bowler. After Sri Lanka’s openers made a promising start, Pathum Nissanka was run out attempting a risky third run. Abrar then stumped Kamil Mishara, had Kusal Mendis caught at short midwicket, and trapped Asalanka lbw, finishing with figures of 3 for 41. Haris Rauf also claimed three wickets, two of them at the death.
