Babar breaks century drought to help Pakistan clinch series

Babar Azam hit his first international century in more than two years, as Pakistan's senior batters made light work of chasing down the target of 289. Sri Lanka's middle order had dragged the total to 288 for 8 after they'd lost early wickets. But on a flat Rawalpindi track, they never looked like defending their score, particularly after their opening bowlers were wayward. Pakistan got home with 10 balls to spare, and eight wickets at their disposal. They have now won the series 2-0, with one match to play.

Babar's 102 not out off 119 - his 20th ODI ton - was not only significant for ending his international century drought (his last hundred had been in May 2023), but for equaling Saeed Anwar's record for most ODI hundreds for Pakistan. He had two ultra productive regions - through cover and midwicket. Those areas brought him 61 of his runs, and six of his eight fours. He was never seriously tested in this innings, however. Sri Lanka had played one bowler too few, and their seamers were having an off day in any case. At no phase in the innings did the required rate threaten to get out of hand.

Though that century is the big news, all four of Pakistan's top order batters played important innings. Saim Ayub set the chase off rapidly with his 33 off 25 balls, before Fakhar Zaman's 78 off 93 helped consolidate that start. Babar put on a 100-run stand with Zaman, before Mohammad Rizwan joined him at the crease for an unbeaten 112-run affair. Rizwan finished with 52 not out off 51 balls.

Sri Lanka were poor in the first 20 overs of both innings. Having been put into bat, they were 90 for 3 in the 20th over, before that scoreline worsened to 98 for 4. Some spunk was shown by the likes of Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who all made scores between 37 and 54 - Liyanage the only Sri Lanka batter to make a half-century. Although Hasaranga put in another excellent batting effort to elevate Sri Lanka's death overs performance, 289 always seemed eminently gettable.

It felt even more gettable when Sri Lanka's opening bowlers were wayward with the new ball. Asitha Fernando went at 10 an over in the powerplay. Pramod Madushan - playing his first international in 18 months, conceded 19 runs in his first two overs. After eight overs, during which Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka went to a Plan B that also didn't work out, Pakistan were 73 for no loss.

On the kind of cold evening in which Sri Lanka's fielders tend not to do well, the catching was even worse than the bowling. Asitha Fernando dropped Zaman on 21 in the seventh over - a simple chance at long off. Two overs later, Zaman was dropped again at long off, this time by Liyanage, who had to make some ground to get there. Zaman would be dropped again on 78, but would be dismissed the next ball.

Babar too had a close call on 5, when he chipped one back to Madushan who couldn't hold on in his follow-through. He was slow to start with, making 12 off his first 22 balls. But when he drove Madushan crisply down the ground for four in the 16th over, he began to find his rhythm, particularly against the seam bowlers. With even the experienced pairing of Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando struggling to bowl consistent lines, Pakistan's batters found their progress fairly smooth.

Sri Lanka's top wicket-taker from Tuesday - Wanindu Hasaranga - also appeared to be struggling with a back complaint, and exited the field at least twice to receive treatment. With the seamers leaking so many runs, Pakistan's batters could afford to see Hasaranga off safely.

There were points in Zaman's innings, particularly after he crossed 50, when he struggled to find boundaries. But even when Sri Lanka squeezed, they could never do so for long. Babar and Rizwan's progress to the target was almost frictionless in the last 15 overs of the game.

Earlier in the game, it had been legspinner Abrar Ahmed who imposed himself. Sri Lanka's openers had begun brightly but lost Pathum Nissanka to a heedless third run, before Abrar had Kamil Mishara stumped. He also had Kusal Mendis pull him straight to short midwicket, and soon after trapped Asalanka in front of the stumps. He was Pakistan's best bowler, with 3 for 41. Haris Rauf also finished with three wickets, taking two of those at the death.