Babar and Rizwan shine in series-winning second ODI against Sri Lanka | The Express Tribune

Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan led the charge as the home side defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI at Rawalpindi Stadium on Friday, clinching the three-match series with a thrilling chase of 289 runs with 10 balls remaining.

Babar Azam equalled Saeed Anwar’s record of scoring the most ODI hundreds by a Pakistani batter.

This was the former captain’s 20th century and first since 2023.

He took the player of the match award for the 102 runs in partnership with Rizwan, who also scored unbeaten 51 runs.

This story was updated periodically thoughout the day, you can read match report here: Babar Azam ends century drought as Pakistan seal Sri Lanka ODI series

Fakhar Zaman helped Pakistan with a solid foundation as an opener, scoring 78 runs before his dismissal by Janith Liyanage.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Pakistan limited Sri Lanka to 288 for 8, with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding preventing the visitors from mounting a late surge.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub laid a solid foundation in the run chase, finding boundaries and keeping the scoreboard moving. Babar and Rizwan then steadied the innings, combining experience and composure to guide Pakistan to a convincing series-clinching victory.

Sri Lanka’s innings was kept in check by a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan, with Abrar and Haris picking up three wickets each to contain the opposition batters. Despite some resistance from Sri Lanka’s middle order, Pakistan’s bowlers consistently struck at key moments to maintain pressure.

The match now hinges on Pakistan’s ability to chase 289 to seal a crucial victory in the three-match series. Team management will rely on their top-order batters to navigate the target and give Pakistan an edge in the series.

Sri Lanka’s Janith Liyanage (R) celebrates with Kamindu Mendis after scoring a half-century (50 runs) during the second one-day international (ODI) against Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first as they look to build on their six-run victory in the opening match, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan in the second ODI in place of Shaheen Afridi, who is sidelined with a fever.

The ODIs serve as a warm-up for the upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start on November 18.

Despite the anxieties and pressure after the suicide bombing, both teams returned to the field, determined to focus on cricket.

Pakistan’s roster looks good for the match, Salman Ali Agha will once again be the center of attention, and other batsmen will also have to play a full role in the victory. Spinner Abrar Ahmed is back in the team as well after missing the first match due to illness.

Pacer Haris Rauf, who took four wickets only giving away 61 runs, will be targeting the opponent’s batting line.

Sri Lankan team will be looking to level the series with a win.

The Lions will be pinning their hopes on Kaushal Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Wanindu Hasaranga in their batting order.

The weather is expected to be clear and pleasant.

Initially, the second ODI of the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was to be played in Rawalpindi on Thursday, but some of the visiting cricketers expressed their intention to return home due to security concerns, which put the series in danger.

However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi handled the matter amicably. He spoke to the Sri Lankan board and also met the cricketers and assured them of foolproof security, after which the visitors agreed to stay and continue the series.

It was decided to delay the final two ODIs of the series by a day, and the second ODI was rescheduled to Friday.

Pakistan’s record in one-day cricket this year had been dismal till last month, only posting one win out of 11 matches. But they managed to turn their luck around in the home season and won three out of four matches.

They won 2-1 in the three-match series against South Africa, earlier.

In the head-to-head record, Pakistan team has won four out of the last five bilateral matches against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan XI

1) Fakhar Zaman, 2) Saim Ayub, 3) Babar Azam, 4) Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5) Salman Agha, 6) Hussain Talat, 7) Mohammad Nawaz, 8) Mohammad Wasim Jr., 9) Haris Rauf, 10) Naseem Shah, 11) Abrar Ahmed.

Sri Lanka XI

1) Pathum Nissanka, 2) Kamil Mishara, 3) Kusal Mendis, 4) Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5) Charith Asalanka, 6) Janith Liyanage, 7) Kamindu Mendis, 8) Wanindu Hasaranga, 9) Pramod Madushan, 10) Dushmantha Chameera, 11) Asitha Fernando.