- Babar equaled Saeed Anwar’s tally of most (20) ODI centuries for Pakistan
- Pakistan bagged their 4th consecutive ODI series win against Sri Lanka
Rawalpindi, 14 November 2025: Babar Azam’s 20th ODI century guided Pakistan to an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday evening, as the hosts chased down the 289-run target in 48.2 overs to seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Pakistan registered their fourth consecutive bilateral ODI series win over Sri Lanka since 2015 and continued with the winning momentum from previous 2-1 triumph against South Africa in Faisalabad.
Babar equaled the record for most ODI hundreds for Pakistan with Saeed Anwar, accomplishing the feat in 136 innings, 107 fewer than the left-handed batter. Babar also registered his 32nd ton across formats, overtaking Saeed and Javed Miandad to become the fourth highest centurion for Pakistan in international cricket.
In pursuit of the target, Pakistan got off to a flying start, racing to 77 in 9.3 overs courtesy Saim Ayub’s quick-fire 33 off 25 balls comprising five fours and one six. After Saim’s dismissal in the 10th over, Fakhar and Babar knitted a 100-run partnership for the second wicket.
Fakhar departed in the 31st over after scoring a 93-ball 78, hitting eight boundaries and a solitary six. Following Fakhar’s dismissal, Babar combined with Mohammad Rizwan (51 not out, 54b, 5x4s, 1x6) to form an unbeaten 112-run alliance.
Much to the crowd’s delight, Babar brought up his record-equaling hundred off 115 deliveries in the 48th over as Pakistan chased down the 289-run target with 10 balls to spare. Dushmantha Chameera picked up 2-51 for Sri Lanka.
Earlier, while batting first, the Sri Lanka openers stitched a 51-run opening partnership before Pathum Nissanka (24, 31b 4x4s) was run out courtesy a strong throw from deep by Mohammad Wasim Jnr.
Soon after, Abrar dealt the tourists with a triple blow, dismissing Kamil Mishra (27, 39b, 2x4s) in the 14th over, Kusal Mendis (20, 28b, 2x4s) in the 20th over and skipper Charith Asalanka (6) in the 22nd over as the scoreboard read 98-4.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (42, 52b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Janith Liyanage (54, 63b, 2x4s, 1x6) knitted a 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the former was cleaned up by Haris Rauf (10-0-66-3) in the 32nd over. Janith and Kamindu (44, 38b, 4x4s, 2x6s) put on another 73 runs for the sixth wicket before Haris dismissed the latter in the 43rd over on 232.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten 26-ball 37 including three boundaries lifted Sri Lanka to 288-8 in 50 overs. Apart from Rauf and Abrar’s three-fers, Wasim picked up one wicket.
Scores in brief:
Match 2 of 3: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Sri Lanka 288-8, 50 overs (Janith Liyanage 54, Kamindu Mendis 44, Sadeera Samarawickrama 42, Wanindu Hasaranga 37 not out, Kamil Mishara 27, Kusal Mendis 20; Abrar Ahmed 3-41, Haris Rauf 3-66)
Pakistan 289-2, 48.2 overs (Babar Azam 102 not out, Fakhar Zaman 78, Mohammad Rizwan 51 not out, Saim Ayub 33; Dushmantha Chameera 2-58)
Player of the match – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
ODI series schedule: (All matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)
11 November - 1st ODI – Pakistan won by six runs
14 November – 2nd ODI – Pakistan won by eight wickets
16 November – 3rd ODI
