{ "id": "181978", "author": "26", "cnmid": "", "title": "Babar Azam Ends Century Drought As Pakistan Seal Sri Lanka ODI Series", "lang": "en", "series": "679", "cup_year": "2025", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "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 unbeat", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Azam had gone 33 ODI innings without a hundred and 82 innings in all, including Tests and Twenty20 internationals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Azam cracked eight boundaries while Rizwan's knock had a six and five boundaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka said: "We were outclassed by Pakistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We did not score a big total and then had quite a few dropped catches which did not help us."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Liyanage top-scored with a fighting 54, hitting a six and two fours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sri Lanka made a confident start of 51 before Pathum Nissanka was run out for 24 attempting a third run.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Rauf dismissed Samarawickrama and Kamindu to compensate for the absence of captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the match with a fever.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/h5>

But the Pakistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket managed to convince the players to stay with enhanced security measures.
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