🏏 Babar Azam Hits Long-Awaited Century as Pakistan Seal ODI Series Against Sri Lanka
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium witnessed a memorable evening as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI, powered by a drought-breaking century from Babar Azam. The win not only sealed the three-match series 2–0 but also sent a strong statement that Pakistan’s ODI batting engine—with Babar at the centre—is firing again after months of criticism, scrutiny, and pressure.
This detailed match analysis covers every angle of Pakistan’s chase, Sri Lanka’s innings, player performances, turning points, and expert breakdowns.
⭐ A Landmark Win for Pakistan
Pakistan walked into the second ODI with their confidence shaken but not broken. After a hard-fought victory in the first match, they needed a strong, commanding performance to send a message of consistency—and their batting lineup delivered exactly that.
The biggest headline, however, belonged to Babar Azam.
After nearly two years without an international ODI century, he finally ended the drought with a mature, calm, beautifully paced unbeaten 102*. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t rushed. It was leadership under pressure, the kind that lifts a team’s spirit and settles a nation’s nerves.
🔥 Pakistan’s Run Chase: Confident, Calculated, and Controlled
Chasing 289 on a batting-friendly pitch, Pakistan’s approach was simple:
Start aggressively
Stabilise in the middle
Finish with authority
And that’s exactly what happened.
🚀 Saim Ayub & Fakhar Zaman’s Electric Opening Stand
Saim Ayub walked in with one role: attack early. Fakhar Zaman walked in with another: hold the innings together.
Together, they formed a dangerous combination that ripped through Sri Lanka’s new-ball hopes.
Saim Ayub (33 off 25)
- Five fours
- One towering six
- Strike rate over 130
- Controlled aggression that set the rhythm
He was playing confidently until he miscued a shot off Chameera, ending a fiery innings.
Fakhar Zaman (78 off 93)
Fakhar wasn’t reckless. He wasn’t explosive.
He was calculated.
- Rotated strike consistently
- Put away loose deliveries
- Formed a stable partnership with Babar Azam
- Reached a composed 78
His dismissal broke the 100-run partnership with Babar—but by that point, Pakistan were already cruising.
👑 Babar Azam’s Century: Class, Timing & Calm Under Pressure
This match will be remembered for one thing above all:
Babar Azam returning to his majestic best.
He walked in at 77/1.
He walked off at 289/2.
Unbeaten.
Victorious.
Relieved.
Babar’s century included:
- 102* off 119
- 8 fours
- Zero risks
- Flawless strike rotation
- Perfect pacing for ODI conditions
Most importantly, this was the kind of innings only Babar Azam plays:
✔ Starting slow
✔ Building confidence
✔ Targeting gaps
✔ Ending with absolute command
🤝 Babar Azam & Rizwan: The Match-Winning 112-Run Partnership
Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar at the crease with Pakistan at 166/2.
What followed was textbook chase management.
Mohammad Rizwan (51 off 54)*
- Five fours
- One six
- Smooth, risk-free batting
- Perfect support to Babar
Their chemistry was evident.
Their communication was sharp.
Their shot selection was mature.
Together, they sealed the game with more than an over to spare.
🎯 Sri Lanka’s Bowling Struggles and Tactical Errors
Sri Lanka had only one bowler who posed consistent threat:
Dushmantha Chameera
He picked up both wickets and finished with 2/58 from 10 overs.
But the rest of Sri Lanka’s bowling card failed to control:
- Line
- Length
- Variation
- Middle-overs pressure
Their spinners leaked runs, their seamers lacked discipline, and their slower balls were predictable.
Pakistan punished every mistake.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka’s Batting: Starts Without Conversion
Sri Lanka’s total of 288/8 looked competitive but never intimidating.
Their innings was a story of small partnerships and missed opportunities.
Pathum Nissanka – 24 off 31
Run-out completely shifted momentum.
Kamil Mishara – 27 off 39
Looked good; didn’t capitalise.
Sadeera Samarawickrama – 42 off 52
Fluent, but fell at the wrong time.
Janith Liyanage – 54 off 63
Sri Lanka’s best batter of the day.
Kamindu Mendis – 44 off 38
High-impact cameo, but not enough.
Wanindu Hasaranga – 37* off 26
Late surge, but too late.
Sri Lanka needed at least one of these batters to cross 80–90, and that failure cost them.
🔥 Pakistan’s Bowling Review: Haris & Abrar Dominate
Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a balanced attack.
🌀 Abrar Ahmed (3 wickets)
- Controlled middle overs
- Turned the game in Pakistan’s favour
- Dismissed Mendis & Asalanka at crucial moments
⚡ Haris Rauf (3 wickets)
- Late swing
- Pacy yorkers
- Broke Sri Lanka’s lower-order resistance
🎯 Mohammad Wasim Jr (1 wicket)
- Supported well
- Executed his role with discipline
🔄 Turning Points of the Match
1️⃣ Saim Ayub’s explosive start
Put Sri Lanka under pressure instantly.
2️⃣ Fakhar–Babar 100-run stand
Stability + momentum.
3️⃣ Abrar’s double-strike
Broke Sri Lanka’s spine.
4️⃣ Rizwan’s arrival
Shifted the chase into cruise mode.
5️⃣ Babar’s flawless finishing
Ended the drought in style.
🏏 Cricketory Insights & Expert Analysis
🧐 Tactical Breakdown
Pakistan’s victory wasn’t accidental — it was built on controlled phases. The decision to allow Saim Ayub full hitting freedom early created a momentum cushion that Sri Lanka never recovered from. Pakistan’s middle-order approach mimicked modern ODI templates: rotate, stabilise, accelerate.
🎯 Babar Azam’s Technique Analysis
- Played late, relied on timing
- Avoided drives early to counter seam movement
- Targeted midwicket and cover gaps to rotate strike
- Reached 50 with risk-free batting
- Accelerated only after 80 with calculated boundary options
His innings was a textbook response to pressure after a long century drought.
🔥 Rizwan’s Role in the Chase
Rizwan acted as the accelerator Pakistan needed.
He:
- Took pressure off Babar
- Punished spin with sweep & reverse sweep options
- Ensured run rate never dipped during middle overs
- Finished the game with complete control
Their chemistry is now Pakistan’s most reliable ODI engine.
🌀 Abrar Ahmed’s Middle-Overs Masterclass
Sri Lanka collapsed primarily because Abrar created pressure at exactly the right time.
He:
- Attacked the stumps
- Forced batters to play
- Used both drift & dip
- Broke partnerships that were rebuilding
His spell shifted the match entirely.
⚡ Haris Rauf’s Death Overs
Haris’ late wickets were the difference between Sri Lanka reaching 300+ or settling for 288. His use of:
- Back-of-length
- Slower balls
- Surprise yorkers
📉 Where Sri Lanka Lost the Match
- No batter anchored beyond 60
- Middle-overs stagnation (overs 21–34)
- Inconsistent spin attack
- No second strike bowler besides Chameera
- Poor field placements
They never applied sustained pressure.
📌 Why Pakistan Won Comfortably
✔ Better shot selection
✔ Smarter bowling changes
✔ Clinical fielding
✔ Experienced batting core
✔ A captain-level innings from Babar
This was Pakistan playing intelligent, mature ODI cricket.
📈 What This Century Means for Babar Azam
This wasn’t just a hundred.
It was a statement.
- Critics silenced
- Rhythm restored
- Confidence rebuilt
- Leadership reinforced
Teams fear Babar when he is calm.
Sri Lanka learned that today.
📊 Complete Statistical Snapshot
Pakistan Batting
- Babar Azam: 102*
- Fakhar Zaman: 78
- Mohammad Rizwan: 51*
- Saim Ayub: 33
Sri Lanka Bowling
- Chameera: 2/58
- Others: No wicket
🧠 Expert Analysis: Strategy Behind Pakistan’s Win
Pakistan didn’t win because Sri Lanka bowled poorly.
Pakistan won because:
- They managed phases
- They were patient
- They attacked specific bowlers
- They didn't panic when boundaries dried
This is modern ODI mindset.
🔮 What to Expect in the Third ODI
With the series already sealed, Pakistan may:
- Test bench strength
- Rotate fast bowlers
- Try new opening combinations
But Babar and Rizwan will likely anchor again.
Sri Lanka must rethink their bowling plan entirely.
🏆 Player of the Match
Babar Azam – 102 (119)*
Not just for the runs.
For the timing, leadership, and psychological impact.
🧾 Conclusion
Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory was not just a win—it was a display of confidence, maturity, and elite-level temperament. Babar Azam’s century proved why he remains one of the best batters in world cricket, while the team’s overall performance highlighted a growing sense of stability.
Sri Lanka showed fight, but Pakistan showed class.
This series win belongs to teamwork—but the moment belongs to Babar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why was Babar Azam’s century so important?
A: Because it ended a two-year drought, silenced critics, and restored confidence ahead of major tournaments.
Q2. Was Pakistan’s chase comfortable?
A: Yes. Thanks to strong partnerships and smart pacing, Pakistan never fell behind the required rate.
Q3. Who was Sri Lanka’s best performer?
A: Janith Liyanage with 54 runs — the only batter to show full composure.
Q4. Did Pakistan dominate with both bat and ball?
A: Absolutely.
Batting: Solid partnerships
Bowling: Abrar & Haris caused consistent collapses
Q5. What should Sri Lanka fix for the next ODI?
A: Improve middle-overs bowling and identify a stable anchor batter.