RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Babar Azam hit his first international century since August 2023 to lift Pakistan to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second day-night international on Friday.
Azam notched an unbeaten 102 for his 20th one-day international century to help Pakistan overtake Sri Lanka’s 289-run target at Rawalpindi Stadium.
The win gave Pakistan a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match series with the final match on Sunday. Pakistan won the first match by six runs — all in Rawalpindi.
Arriving at the crease amidst a huge roar from the crowd after opener Saim Ayub fell for 33 in the 10th over, Azam played his famous cover drives to perfection.
He reached the three-figure mark with a pulled single off pacer Pramod Madushan, raised his bat to the crowd before bowing to the ground.
Azam had gone 33 ODI innings without a hundred and 82 innings in all, including Tests and Twenty20 internationals.
Azam added a 100-run stand for the second wicket with Fakhar Zaman who scored an aggressive 78 with a six and eight boundaries to set up a successful chase.
Sri Lanka fumbled in the field, dropping Zaman on 20, 28 and 78 before Janith Liyanage pulled off a stunner off pacer Dushmantha Chameera but it was too late.
Building on the platform, Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 51 not out, added another 112 for the unbroken third wicket stand with Azam deservedly hitting the winning single.
Azam cracked eight boundaries while Rizwan’s knock had a six and five boundaries.
A delighted Azam said: “I was also waiting for my century, so I am thankful to the Almighty,” said Azam. “It is more delightful that it has come in the team’s win.”
Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka said: “We were outclassed by Pakistan.
“We did not score a big total and then had quite a few dropped catches which did not help us.”
Earlier, spinner Abrar Ahmed finished with 3-41 while pace bowler Haris Rauf claimed 3-66 as Sri Lanka scored 288-8 after they were sent in to bat.
Liyanage top-scored with a fighting 54, hitting a six and two fours.
Liyanage added 61 for the fifth wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made 42, and another 73 for the sixth with Kamindu Mendis, who scored 44.
Sri Lanka made a confident start of 51 before Pathum Nissanka was run out for 24 attempting a third run.
Abrar then derailed the innings with three wickets, removing Kamil Mishara for 27, Kusal Mendis for 20 and Asalanka for six in the space of 36 runs.
Rauf dismissed Samarawickrama and Kamindu to compensate for the absence of captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the match with a fever.
Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with a brisk unbeaten 37 off 26 balls, adding 44 at the end with Pramod Madushan, who was 11 not out.
The second ODI was delayed by a day after several Sri Lankan players considered abandoning the tour over security fears following Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad, just a few miles from the stadium.
But the Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket managed to convince the players to stay with enhanced security measures.