Babar leads Pakistan to series win against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam roared back into elite form Friday evening, crafting a majestic 102 not out to power Pakistan to a commanding series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Backed by a near-capacity crowd that had waited more than two years to witness another Babar masterclass, Babar delivered a chanceless, ice-cool 119-ball century, his 20th ODI hundred as Pakistan cruised to the 289-run target with eight wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining.

Babar’s last international century had come on August 30, 2023, against Nepal in the Asia Cup at Multan. The long drought ended in style as he matched Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 ODI tons, peppering the innings with eight exquisite boundaries and trademark stroke play that kept fans on their feet throughout.

“Thanks God it has finally come. I waited for this occasion for the last 83 innings. I worked hard, but for some reason, I could not convert my innings into a big one. I am delighted to have finally crossed the three-figure mark,” Babar said in a post-match talk.

A fluent 78 from Fakhar Zaman helped lay the ideal platform, adding a superb 100-run stand with the skipper for the second wicket. Mohammad Rizwan (51 not out) then joined Babar to seal the victory with an authoritative 112-run unbroken third-wicket partnership, ensuring Pakistan celebrated their third consecutive white-ball series win, and a fourth straight ODI series triumph against Sri Lanka.

On a night that demanded brilliance, Babar Azam delivered and delivered big. The king was well and truly back.

Earlier, put into bat first, Sri Lanka managed 288 for eight in the allotted 50 overs, with a few getting a good start but none staying at the wicket long enough to carry the total to over 300. Janith Liyanage (54), Kamindu Mendis (44), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (42) were the notable run-getters for the visitors.

Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis’s 93-run stand for the 6th wicket was the only sizeable contribution in the Sri Lankan innings. Abrar Ahmad (3-41) and Haris Rauf (2-66) bowled brilliantly.