NEW DELHI: Babar Azam ended his century drought in style, scoring his first international hundred since August 2023 to guide Pakistan to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second day-night ODI on Friday.The Pakistan skipper remained unbeaten on 102 — his 20th ODI century — as the hosts comfortably chased down Sri Lanka’s 289 at the Rawalpindi Stadium.
With this win, Pakistan sealed the three-match series 2-0, having edged the opening game by six runs — also in Rawalpindi. The final ODI will be played on Sunday.Following the victory, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the team’s performance on social media.“I congratulate our national team on winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and I commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for their great efforts. It was a wonderful display of cricket’s unifying spirit,” Sharif wrote. “My special thanks to the Sri Lankan players and management. Their participation once again reflects the enduring friendship between our two nations,” he said.However, Sharif’s post didn’t sit well with many Indian fans — and former cricketer Aakash Chopra was among those to respond.Chopra quickly reacted, writing: “When winning a bilateral series is your only flex.”
Pakistan had earlier suffered a five-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup final in Dubai this September.
