Babar Azam scored a century against Sri Lanka Another record falls! Babar Azam hits a magnificent ton against Sri Lanka, cementing his place as a batting great. Full match report and analysis.
Babar Azam’s Majestic 102 Anchors Series-Sealing Chase Against Sri Lanka
Rawalpindi, [November 14, 2025] – After a period of uncharacteristic quietude, the bat of Babar Azam roared back to life today, delivering a masterclass in a run-chase against a resilient Sri Lankan side in the second One-Day International. His magnificent, unbeaten 102 (119 balls, 8×4) not only silenced the fleeting questions about his form but more importantly, guided Pakistan to a commanding eight-wicket victory, sealing the three-match series with a game to spare.
The victory, achieved with 10 balls to spare, was a testament to Babar’s immense temperament, converting a tricky chase of 289 into a comfortable exercise in controlled aggression.
The Foundation: Sri Lanka’s Fighting Total
Earlier in the day, after Pakistan had won the toss and elected to field, Sri Lanka’s middle-order proved their mettle, posting a challenging total of 288 for 8. The innings was built on a series of crucial partnerships, spearheaded by a gritty half-century from Janith Liyanage (54 off 63) and an impressive, late flourish from Kamindu Mendis (44 off 38).
Pakistan’s bowlers were initially tested, but the spin-pace combination of Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf proved effective in stemming the flow of runs during the middle and death overs. Abrar, in particular, was exceptional, bamboozling the Lankan batters with his variations to finish with figures of 3 for 41, keeping the total just shy of the 300-run mark.
The Response: Babar’s Masterclass
Chasing 289, Pakistan got off to a blistering start, thanks to the aggressive intent of Saim Ayub, who smashed a rapid 33 off just 25 balls. His quick dismissal by Dushmantha Chameera in the 10th over, however, brought the spotlight onto the two pillars of the Pakistani batting lineup: Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam.
This was the moment the home fans had been waiting for. With the series on the line and a slightly concerning lean patch behind him, Babar walked to the crease with a clear mandate to anchor the innings. What followed was a lesson in pace management and textbook strokeplay.
Babar started cautiously, ensuring no further early damage was done. He relied on singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking, allowing his partner, Fakhar Zaman, to open up. Fakhar, seizing the opportunity, played a powerful knock, compiling a well-deserved 78 off 93 balls. The pair added a match-defining partnership of 100 runs for the second wicket, sucking the pressure completely out of the Sri Lankan attack.
The Knockout Punch
The real acceleration came after Fakhar’s departure in the 31st over. With the required run-rate manageable but not negligible, the stage was perfectly set for Babar to shift gears. He found a reliable partner in Mohammad Rizwan, and together, they delivered the knockout punch.
Babar, now visibly more fluent, began treating the Lankan spinners with disdain. He effortlessly manipulated the field, finding the gaps with classic drives and exquisite flicks. The milestone arrived in the 48th over—a gentle single to deep mid-wicket bringing up his 20th ODI century. It was a knock built on patience (119 balls) but decorated with class (8 fours), a characteristic blend of solidity and grace that defines his batting style.
This century was particularly significant, marking the end of a long drought in his international career and putting him on level with the legendary Saeed Anwar for the second-most ODI centuries for Pakistan.
Mohammad Rizwan provided the ideal supporting act, hitting an aggressive fifty (51* off 54 balls) that ensured the required rate never spiraled out of control. Their unbroken 112-run partnership for the third wicket saw Pakistan cross the finish line with ease, demonstrating their pedigree as one of the most formidable chasing teams in world cricket.
The Verdict
While the opening match was a nervy six-run thriller, today’s contest was a statement victory for Pakistan. It was a performance that highlighted their depth and, crucially, showcased their captain returning to his very best. Babar Azam’s 102 was not merely a number; it was an assurance to his team and his fans that the ‘King’ is back, perfectly timed to seal the series and set a high benchmark ahead of the final ODI.
Pakistan (289/2 in 48.2 overs) beat Sri Lanka (288/8 in 50 overs) by 8 wickets.
