Babar Brilliance Seals Series! Pakistan Clinch ODI Series 2-0 with Dominant 8-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka
Rawalpindi, Pakistan – November 14, 2025 – Babar Azam ended his much-discussed century drought with a match-winning, unbeaten ton, guiding Pakistan to a commanding 8-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The win hands Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing Sri Lanka’s competitive total of 288/8, Pakistan coasted to 289/2 in 48.2 overs, thanks to a superb batting display anchored by two century partnerships.
Babar Ends Long Wait with Milestone Century
The highlight of the chase was undoubtedly Babar Azam’s fluent 102 not out off 119 balls. The former captain, who had gone 83 international innings without a century, brought up his 20th ODI hundred, equalling the Pakistani record held by the legendary Saeed Anwar.
Babar controlled the tempo beautifully, first building a 100-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman, and then an unbroken 112-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan.
Mohammad Rizwan provided the perfect finish, remaining unbeaten on a brisk 51 off 54 balls, while opener Fakhar Zaman laid the foundation with a stroke-filled 78 off 93 balls after a blistering start alongside Saim Ayub (33 off 25).
Sri Lanka’s Innings: Good Starts, No Big Finishes
Earlier in the day, after Pakistan’s stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field, Sri Lanka posted a fighting score of 288/8.
The visitors saw most of their top order get starts but fail to convert them into big scores—a point later lamented by captain Charith Asalanka.
- Openers Pathum Nissanka (24) and Kamil Mishara (27) added 51 runs.
- The middle-order saw valuable contributions from Sadeera Samarawickrama (42) and Kamindu Mendis (44 off 38), who played aggressively.
- Janith Liyanage was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with a resilient 54 off 63 balls.
- Wanindu Hasaranga provided the much-needed late acceleration, smashing an unbeaten 37 off 26 balls to push the total near the 290 mark.
Pakistan’s Bowling and Fielding Effort
Pakistan’s bowling effort was spearheaded by their spinners and fast bowlers. The turning point in the middle overs was the spell from returning leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who grabbed 3 wickets for 41 runs, dismissing key batsmen Kusal Mendis (20) and Charith Asalanka (6).
Pace spearhead Haris Rauf was also instrumental, finishing with 3 wickets for 66 runs, including the crucial dismissals of Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis in the death overs.
🌟 Key Player Performances
| Team | Player | Role | Performance |
| Pakistan | Babar Azam | Batsman | 102* runs off 119 balls (8 fours) |
| Pakistan | Fakhar Zaman | Batsman | 78 runs off 93 balls (8 fours, 1 six) |
| Pakistan | Abrar Ahmed | Leg-Spinner | 3 wickets for 41 runs |
| Pakistan | Haris Rauf | Fast Bowler | 3 wickets for 66 runs |
| Sri Lanka | Janith Liyanage | Batsman | 54 runs off 63 balls (2 fours, 1 six) |
| Sri Lanka | Wanindu Hasaranga | All-Rounder | 37* runs off 26 balls |
🏆 Man of the Match
Babar Azam was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for his stellar, series-clinching century.
The final match of the series will be played on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
