Babar Azam’s 20th ODI Hundred Seals Pakistan’s Series Win by 8 Wickets.

Babar Azam’s 20th ODI Hundred Seals Pakistan’s Series Win by 8 Wickets.

PAK vs SL Highlights, 2nd ODI: Babar Azam Ends Century Drought as Pakistan Wins by Eight Wickets to Seal Series.

                    Rawalpindi, November 14, 2025 – In a match that encapsulated the resurgence of Pakistan's white-ball prowess, Babar Azam silenced his critics with a masterful unbeaten 102, propelling the hosts to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

            Chasing a competitive 289, Pakistan romped home in 48.2 overs, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and extending their dominance in bilateral ODIs against the islanders. This win marks Pakistan's fourth consecutive series triumph over Sri Lanka and their third straight home series victory, underscoring a batting-friendly pitch that favored the chasers while exposing Sri Lanka's bowling frailties.

The day-night affair, under the floodlights of Rawalpindi's expansive outfield, drew a vociferous crowd eager to witness Babar's redemption arc. The former captain, enduring an 83-inning century drought since May 2023 – the longest in his illustrious career – arrived at the crease amid whispers of form concerns. Yet, in a performance blending patience with precision, he equaled Saeed Anwar's record of 20 ODI hundreds for Pakistan, his knock a testament to mental fortitude. "I wanted to believe in myself," Babar reflected post-match, his voice steady. "It's an honour to get past all the records of all legends."

Pre-match buzz centered on Pakistan's bowling repairs after a leaky first ODI, where they conceded 325. With Abrar Ahmed's leg-spin adding bite and Haris Rauf's raw pace returning, the hosts looked primed. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, banked on their middle-order firepower – Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, and Wanindu Hasaranga – to post a defendable total on a pitch offering true bounce but minimal seam movement. Captain Charith Asalanka, opting to bat first after winning the toss, hoped for a powerplay platform to build momentum. Little did they know, Pakistan's fielding sharpness and Abrar's guile would unravel their plans early.

Toss and Team News: Pakistan Opt to Bowl First

Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka called correctly at the toss and elected to bat, citing the dew factor in the second innings as a potential ally for the chasing side. However, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan – deputizing in Babar's absence from leadership – was unfazed, inserting the visitors on a belter of a track known for high scores. "The pitch looks flat, but our bowlers are fresh and hungry," Rizwan noted in the pre-match huddle.

Team changes were minimal. Pakistan retained their winning XI from the opener, with Abrar Ahmed's inclusion over a seamer paying dividends. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf spearheaded the pace attack, backed by Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Mohammad Nawaz's left-arm spin. Sri Lanka brought back Pramod Madushan after an 18-month hiatus, replacing the injured Maheesh Theekshana, while Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera handled new-ball duties. Hasaranga, nursing a minor back niggle from the first game, was managed carefully.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Adrian Holdstock oversaw proceedings, with match referee Jeff Crowe ensuring a smooth flow. The series, part of Sri Lanka's tour, carried no bilateral stakes beyond pride, but for Pakistan, it was a dress rehearsal for future white-ball assignments.

Sri Lanka Innings: A Top-Order Collapse, Middle-Order Resilience, and Late Flourish (288/8 in 50 Overs)

Score Update: 0.1 Over – 1/0 Naseem Shah steamed in from the Pavilion End, his first delivery a probing outswinger to Pathum Nissanka that shaped away just short of a wide. Nissanka clipped the second ball for a single through midwicket, settling nerves. The Rawalpindi air was crisp at 4:30 PM local time, with the sun dipping low. Pakistan's slip cordon – Babar at first, Rizwan gloved behind – buzzed with anticipation.

Powerplay 1 (Overs 1-10): 51/1 – Steady Start, Run-Out Shock Naseem's third over tested Nissanka with bouncers, but the opener rode the hook for a boundary over fine leg – Rawalpindi's short square boundaries inviting aggression. At the other end, Haris Rauf replaced Naseem, his raw pace clocking 145kph. Kamil Mishara, promoted to open after Kusal Mendis' struggles, flicked Rauf's loosener for four through square leg. Commentary crackled: "Rauf's fire meets Mishara's ice – who's melting first?"

By over 5, Sri Lanka had raced to 28/0, Nissanka's cover drive off Mohammad Wasim Jr. eliciting roars. Extras mounted early – three wides from Rauf's wayward radar. But the turning point arrived at 9.5: Nissanka, on 24, pushed a Naseem full-toss to mid-off and set off for a suicidal single. Mohammad Wasim's direct hit, relayed via Rizwan's dive, found Nissanka short. 51/1. "Sloppy from Pathum – that's gold for Pakistan's fielding unit," boomed the stadium announcer.

Mishara and Kusal Mendis rebuilt cautiously. Abrar Ahmed entered at over 11, his leg-spin drawing Mendis forward for a tentative prod. The leggie's variations – a googly that spun past the edge – hinted at drama.

Overs 11-20: 98/4 – Abrar's Masterclass Unravels the Middle Order Abrar's introduction was seismic. At 13.1, he tossed up a leg-break to Mishara, who danced down only to miss, stumped by Rizwan's lightning hands. 62/2. Replays showed Mishara's back-foot drag – a classic Abrar trap. "The leggie strikes! Pakistan sense blood," tweeted a fan, capturing the shift.

Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama countered with urgency. Mendis slashed Nawaz for four through point, Samarawickrama lofting Abrar over mid-on for six – the first maximum. But at 19.2, Abrar lured Mendis into a lofted drive, pouched by Nawaz at cover. 90/3. Charith Asalanka lasted mere seven balls; at 21.2, Abrar's arm-ball trapped him lbw, the review confirming three reds. 98/4. Sri Lanka's top order in tatters, Pakistan's spinners – Abrar (3/41 eventual) – dictating terms on a pitch gripping subtly.

Overs 21-30: 142/4 – Samarawickrama's Anchor Holds Firm Samarawickrama, elegance personified, rotated strike with Janith Liyanage. A flicked four off Wasim through fine leg brought up the 100 in 22.3 overs. Liyanage, the series' breakout star, unleashed a cover drive off Rauf for four, his footwork a highlight. By over 25, the partnership had swelled to 40, easing pressure. Hasaranga, padded up, watched from the balcony, his back taped.

Nawaz's left-arm darts conceded just 22 in four overs, but Samarawickrama's sweep for four off him signaled intent. Score update: 130/4 at 28 overs. The required rate for a par total hovered at 5.5, but Pakistan's dots – 33 from Abrar alone – kept the leash tight.

Overs 31-40: 212/5 – Partnerships Blossom, Rauf Strikes Back The fifth-wicket stand crossed 50 in 56 balls, Samarawickrama's pull off Naseem a crowd-pleaser. Liyanage's six over long-on off Nawaz – a rare loose ball – pushed the score to 159/4 at 31.4. But Rauf, with venom restored, yorked Samarawickrama at 31.4, her 42 a gritty knock. 159/5. "Rauf's toe-crusher – that's how you break anchors!" exclaimed the commentator.

Kamindu Mendis joined Liyanage, igniting the accelerator. Kamindu's switch-hit four off Nawaz was audacious, followed by back-to-back boundaries off Wasim. By 35 overs: 180/5. Liyanage reached his fifty – his second in ODIs – with a lofted drive, but the momentum swung at 42.3: Rauf's bouncer induced a top-edge from Kamindu (44), snapped by Saim Ayub at fine leg. 232/6. Sri Lanka needed late fireworks.

Overs 41-50: 288/8 – Hasaranga's Blitz, Rauf's Hat-Trick Bid Powerplay 3 unleashed chaos. Hasaranga, battling back spasms, smashed Naseem for two fours – a pull and a slash – racing to 37 off 26. Liyanage fell at 43.6, chipping Wasim to Nawaz. 241/7. Chameera's lbw off Rauf at 44.2 (244/8) brought Pramod Madushan to the crease. Hasaranga and Madushan plundered 44 in the last six overs: Hasaranga's whip through cow corner, Madushan's ramped four.

Final over: Naseem's full tosses yielded 14 runs, including three wides. Hasaranga unbeaten on 37, Madushan 11*. Total: 288/8, extras 23. Abrar (3/41) and Rauf (3/66) starred, but 14 wides betrayed discipline. "We're 20-30 short," Asalanka rued later. Partnerships: 1st 50 (59 balls), 5th 50 (56 balls), 6th 50 (47 balls).

Innings Analysis: A Total That Teased But Fell Short Sri Lanka's 288 flattered to deceive. The top-order implosion – 98/4 – forced a rescue act from Samarawickrama (42), Liyanage (54), and Kamindu (44). Hasaranga's cameos lifted the death, but extras (23) and dropped catches (Fakhar twice) haunted. Pakistan's spinners choked the middle, conceding just 85 in 20 overs. On a 400-plus paradise, 288 felt chaseable – and so it proved.

Pakistan Innings: Powerplay Fireworks, Babar's Symphony, and a Clinical Chase (289/2 in 48.2 Overs)

Score Update: 0.1 Over – 1/0 Dushmantha Chameera opened to Saim Ayub, who punched a full ball for a single. Floodlights bathed the field, dew glistening. Fakhar Zaman faced Asitha Fernando, whose first over leaked five wides – a portent of Sri Lanka's seam woes.

Powerplay 1 (Overs 1-10): 73/1 – Openers Rampage Amid Extras Ayub exploded: back-to-back fours off Chameera through covers, a six over midwicket. By over 3: 22/0. Zaman's lofted drive off Asitha – who conceded 10 an over – raced away. Extras piled: 13 wides by over 8. Ayub's 33 off 25 (5x4, 1x6) dazzled, but at 9.4, part-time spinner Asalanka induced a skier, pouched by himself. 77/1. "Ayub's fireworks fizzle – enter Babar," the mic man quipped.

Babar, tentative early (12 off 22), survived a chipped chance on 5 off Madushan. Zaman and Babar knuckled down, the 50 partnership in 34 balls.

Overs 11-20: 132/1 – Steady Build, Zaman Anchors Madushan's accuracy (3.50 econ eventual) tested, but Zaman's pull for four off Rajitha eased pressure. Babar ignited at 16.1: a crisp drive off Hasaranga for four. The duo's 50 stand in 66 balls; 100 in 125. Score: 100/1 at 15.2. Hasaranga, gingerly post-treatment, bowled cutters, but Babar's sweep evaded.

Zaman reached 50 off 64 (5x4), dropped on 21 and 78 – Liyanage the culprit. Commentary: "Fakhar's fortune – Rawalpindi rewards the brave."

Overs 21-30: 177/2 – Babar-Zaman 100-Run Stand Ends The second-wicket pair motored: Zaman's six off Hasaranga, Babar's cover punches. At 30.5, Asalanka's off-spin fetched Zaman (78), caught at long-off by Liyanage – redemption. 177/2. Rizwan entered, flicking Madushan for four. Babar 50 off 68 (3x4). Required rate: 5.8 – cruise control.

Overs 31-40: 230/2 – Rizwan Joins the Fray, Acceleration Begins Rizwan's sweeps off Hasaranga (limited to six overs) flowed. The third-wicket 50 in 47 balls: Babar's on-drive off Chameera a masterclass. By 35: 200/2. Sri Lanka's seamers wilted – Rajitha's 62 off eight. Babar, 61 runs through cover/midwicket, dictated.

Overs 41-48.2: 289/2 – Centuries and Victory Rizwan's fifty off 53 (5x4, 1x6) came via a pull off Madushan. Babar, at 99, pulled Chameera for one at 46.5. At 47.1: century! Pull through leg-side, 20th ODI ton, equaling Anwar. Dugout erupted. Final over: Asitha's drive from Babar – 1 run, victory. 289/2. Partnerships: 2nd 100 (125 balls), 3rd 112 (frictionless).

Chase Analysis: Effortless Dominance Pakistan's 289/2 showcased depth: Ayub's blitz, Zaman's grit, Babar's silk, Rizwan's finish. Sri Lanka's 25 extras (18 wides) and Hasaranga's injury (33/0) crippled. Never behind, Pakistan's 11th win in 12 vs SL.
Post-Match Reactions and Stats: Series Sealed, Legacy Cemented

Salman Agha: "Complete batting performance... restricted to 280-odd." Asalanka: "Seamers gave too many extras." Babar, POTM: "Belief key." Stats: Babar's 20th ton (8th home); Pakistan's 40 100+ stands involving him. Abrar-Rauf: 6/107.

With one ODI left, Pakistan eyes a whitewash. Rawalpindi delivered drama, but Babar's drought-end stole the show – a chapter closed, a series won.