Pakistan overpowered Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI at Rawalpindi, sealing the three-match series with a game to spare. The win was decisive, controlled, and reflective of a team playing with clarity despite the tense backdrop of heightened security. Chasing 289, Pakistan made the target look lighter than it was, finishing the job in 48.2 overs with Babar Azam leading from the front through a polished, unbeaten century.
Sri Lanka’s 288/8 was competitive but never truly imposing. Their innings was stitched together by Janith Liyanage’s 54 and Kamindu Mendis’ 44, but the visiting side kept losing wickets whenever they hinted at momentum. Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t allow the innings to breathe — Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf dismantled partnerships with sharp spells, taking three wickets each. The result was an innings that hovered around mediocrity: enough runs to stay alive, but nowhere near enough to dictate terms.
The chase began with the aggression Pakistan needed. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman put on 77 for the first wicket, setting the tone. Zaman, in particular, looked settled and confident, producing a controlled 78 off 93 balls. His dismissal did nothing to slow Pakistan; instead, it opened the door for Babar Azam to command the tempo. Walking in under expectation — given his long gap between hundreds — he rebuilt his rhythm with typical precision, eventually crafting a serene 102* from 119 deliveries.
The backbone of the chase was Babar’s partnership with Mohammad Rizwan. The pair added an unbroken 112, rotating strike without fuss and punishing loose deliveries with minimal risk. Rizwan’s contribution — 51* off 54 balls — was the kind of steady, understated innings that kills contests quietly. Together, they ensured that Pakistan didn’t just win; they controlled every phase of the chase without allowing Sri Lanka a single opening.
This win also extends Pakistan’s dominance over Sri Lanka in recent bilateral ODI series, marking their fourth straight triumph. For Babar, the century was symbolic: his 20th ODI hundred, bringing him level with Saeed Anwar’s long-standing national record. Beyond the statistics, it was a reaffirmation of his place at the heart of Pakistan’s white-ball ambitions.
The match unfolded under significant security measures, with the series pushed into the spotlight after a suicide bombing in Islamabad earlier in the week. Despite the tension, Pakistan’s performance stayed sharp, unaffected by the off-field noise. The side looked united, focused, and intent on sending a message: they’re not just playing to win matches — they’re playing to reclaim authority in ODIs.
With one game left, the final ODI is now little more than a formality for Pakistan and a face-saving exercise for Sri Lanka. Unless the visitors can find a sudden surge of belief, Pakistan look set to push for a clean sweep to close out the series.
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