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.
Azam ends century drought as Pakistan seal Sri Lanka ODI series
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Azam ends century drought as Pakistan seal Sri Lanka ODI series
- 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
Saudi Arabia lose to Morocco in final group match of Arab Cup
- Green Falcons had already qualified for quarterfinals
- Oman eliminated despite victory over Comoros
DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup knockout stages after defeating Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Oman’s victory over Comoros in their final group game was not enough to keep their campaign alive.
Needing only a draw to progress, Morocco took all three points against the Green Falcons, who missed a crucial second-half penalty.
The Saudis, already through to the knockouts, made several changes and began brightly, coming close to opening the scoring inside six minutes when Saleh Abu Al-Shamat’s looping header clipped the crossbar.
Despite the early pressure, Morocco kept their composure and took the lead when Tarik Tissoudali teed up Karim El-Berkaoui to put the Atlas Lions in front.
Saudi Arabia pushed for an equalizer and were handed a golden opportunity midway through the second half when Amin Zahzouh fouled substitute Abdullah Al-Hamdan inside the penalty area.
But the striker’s attempt at a “Panenka” sailed over the crossbar.
In the group’s other match, Oman defeated Comoros but were eliminated after failing to make up the required goal difference.
Knowing victory alone would not be enough, Oman began aggressively, creating a string of first-half chances through Issam Al-Sabhi, Zahir Al-Aghbari and Jameel Al-Yahmadi, only to be denied by profligacy and Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada.
The breakthrough arrived in calamitous fashion just before the interval as Ahamada was dispossessed by Al-Sabhi inside the 6-yard box, allowing the forward to shoot into an empty net.
Al-Sabhi then doubled Oman’s lead with a header just before the break.
Comoros rallied after the break through a fine individual effort from Nassuir Hamidou to reduce the deficit, but further chances went begging and Oman held on for victory.
Despite finishing with four points, Oman bowed out of the competition, while Comoros concluded their debut Arab Cup campaign with three straight defeats.
