Pakistan Outclass Sri Lanka to Seal Series with Dominant Eight-Wicket Win
Babar Azam's timely century and a strong bowling performance by Pakistan give the visitors a 2-0 lead amidst tight security in Rawalpindi
Babar’s Return to Form Lifts Pakistan
Pakistan put in a clinical all-round performance to outplay Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI and seal the series with a game to spare. Chasing 289, the home team never seemed to be in any sort of trouble from the outset, courtesy a composed and authoritative unbeaten century from skipper Babar Azam. His 102* – his first three-figure score in a long time – reminded many of his class and anchored Pakistan’s successful chase.
Opener Fakhar Zaman added a fluent 78, giving the early stability to Pakistan, while Mohammad Rizwan’s steady 51* ensured the chase stayed on track without any pressure. Their partnerships kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers searching for breakthroughs that never truly came.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 288/8 but Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t allow them to run away with the game. Haris Rauf led the attack, claiming three wickets, along with Abrar Ahmed as the duo struck at vital junctures to keep Sri Lanka from posting a huge total.
The match was played amidst tight security in the aftermath of incidents in the recent past, yet both teams continued to perform professionally. With the series pocketed, this final ODI provides an opportunity for further experimentation and momentum-building for the hosts.
