Pakistan win ODI series against Sri Lanka: Key stats
What's the story
Pakistan have clinched the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket victory in the second ODI at Rawalpindi. The match was originally scheduled for Thursday but was postponed by a day due to security concerns. After restricting Sri Lanka to 288 runs, Pakistan chased down the target comfortably with a century from Babar Azam and a fifties from Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan.
Match summary
Sri Lanka's innings and Pakistan's response
Sri Lanka's openers gave a solid start with a 51-run partnership before Pathum Nissanka was run-out while attempting a risky third run in the 10th over. Kamil Mishara was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed's googly, while Kusal Mendis was caught at mid-wicket attempting a pull-shot off Abrar. Charith Asalanka was trapped LBW by Abrar, leaving Sri Lanka at 98/4. Despite these setbacks, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage put up a 61-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Bowling prowess
Pakistan's bowlers strike back
Pakistan's bowlers made a comeback by dismissing Kamindu and Liyanage in successive overs, leaving Sri Lanka at 241/7. Dushmantha Chameera was trapped LBW by Rauf, but Wanindu Hasaranga and Pramod Madushan added a valuable 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka ended their innings at 288/8 after an eventful final over where they scored 18 runs including three boundaries.
Chase details
Pakistan's chase and Babar Azam's century
In response, Pakistan got off to a quick start with Fakhar and Saim Ayub capitalizing on Sri Lanka's loose bowling. Despite Sri Lanka dropping multiple catches, including two chances offered by Fakhar Zaman, the partnership was eventually broken when Ayub was caught at mid-off in the 10th over. Fakhar reached his half-century in the 22nd over, while Babar also completed his 50 in an eventful 31st over.
Match conclusion
Babar's century leads Pakistan to victory
Fakhar hit a massive 98-meter six over mid-wicket before getting out caught the next ball, ending a 100-run partnership. However, Babar and Rizwan maintained their control and ensured no further hiccups in Pakistan's chase for victory. Babar ended his 83-innings century drought in international cricket by scoring his 20th ODI ton in the 48th over. Pakistan won the match in the following over, sealing their series victory against Sri Lanka.
Liyanage
Sri Lanka's Janith Liyanage hammers his 7th ODI half-century
Liyanage came to the middle when Sri Lanka were 98/4 with the dismissal of Asalanka. He was part of a 61-run partnership with Samarawickrama (42). Thereafter, a 73-run stand was added between Liyanage and Kamindu. Liyanage's knock of 54 from 63 balls has 2 fours and a six. He struck at 85.71. With this effort, Liyanage has raced to 906 runs from 30 ODI matches at 47.68. He hammered his 7th fifty (100s: 1).
Duo
Abrar builds steadily; Rauf races to 95 wickets: Numbers
Abrar's three-fer means he now owns a total of 28 ODI wickets from 14 matches at 20.78. His economy rate is 4.44. On the other hand, the experienced Rauf has raced to 95 scalps from 53 matches at 26.61. (ER: 5.88). Against the Lankans, Rauf owns 9 scalps from three ODIs at an average of 21.22, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Babar
Babar ends his century drought
Babar ended a long wait of 807 days to score his 20th ODI century. The innings was Babar's first international hundred since he scored a ton against Nepal in August 2023 at Multan. During this 807-day period, the former Pakistan skipper played 83 innings across all three formats of international cricket.
20 tons
3rd-fastest to 20 ODI centuries
As per Cricbuzz, Babar became the 3rd-fastest to 20 ODI centuries in terms of innings. Babar achieved the feat in his 136th inning. Only Hashim Amla and Virat Kohli achieved the feat in fewer innings. Fewest innings to 20 ODI hundreds: 108 - Hashim Amla 133 - Virat Kohli 136 - Babar Azam 142 - David Warner 150 - Quinton de Kock
Stats
Babar hammers his 4th century against Sri Lanka
Babar owns 6,467 runs in ODIs from 139 matches (136 innings) at 53.89. In 14 matches against Sri Lanka, Babar owns 666 runs at an average of 60.54. This was his 4th century against Sri Lanka (50s: 1). Babar now owns 1,773 runs on home soil from 31 ODIs at an average of 63.32. He has hit 8 tons and 9 fifties. In 4 home ODIs against the Lankans, he has amassed 277 runs at 92.33. He owns 2 hundreds.
Duo
Key numbers of Fakhar and Rizwan
Fakhar scored 78 runs from 93 balls. He hit 8 fours and a six. In 91 ODIs, he owns 3,806 runs at 45.30. This was his 18th ODI fifty. In 11 matches against Sri Lanka, he owns 442 runs at 40.18 (50s: 4). Rizwan smashed an unbeaten knock of 51 from 54 balls. In 99 ODIs, he has scored 2,860 runs at 40.85. This was his 18th fifty (100s: 4).
Records
Notable records made as Pakistan beat SL
As per Cricbuzz, Pakistan have won 11 of the last 12 head-to-head ODIs vs Sri Lanka. This is Pakistan cricket team's fourth consecutive bilateral ODI series win against Sri Lanka and their third straight series win on home soil. Sri Lanka have now lost nine of the 10 bilateral ODI series away from home post the 2019 World Cup; their only away series win in this period came against Zimbabwe earlier this year.