Abrar, Babar fashion series win for Pakistan

Pakistan clinched the three-match ODI series with an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Rawalpindi. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday, was postponed by a day following security concerns. After restricting the visitors to 288, Pakistan hunted the total down comfortably following a century from Babar Azam and a fifty from Fakhar Zaman.

Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka's openers laid a solid foundation and put on a 51-run stand. While both batters looked good at the crease, their partnership came to an abrupt end after Pathum Nissanka was run-out attempting a risky third run in the 10th over. Kamil Mishara was then undone by a googly from Abrar Ahmed and was out stumped at the start of the 14th over.

Kusal Mendis didn't last long either as he picked out mid-wicket with a pull-shot off Abrar in the 20th over. The leg-spinner struck once more just an over later by trapping Charith Asalanka in front to leave the visitors on 98/4.

Sri Lanka's desperate need for a partnership was somewhat satiated after Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage shared a 61-run stand. Even as Samarawickrama lost his off-stump attempting to play across the line to Haris Rauf in the 32nd over, Sri Lanka's revival was sustained by Kamindu Mendis who arrived with an aura of positivity.

Another crucial 73-run stand ensued with Liyanage reaching his fifty in the interim. Pakistan, however, struck back by dismissing Kamindu and Liyanage in successive overs to leave Sri Lanka on 241/7 at the end of the 44th over. Dushmantha Chameera was out for golden duck, trapped LBW by Rauf, in the very next over but a remarkable 44-run stand between Wanindu Hasaranga and Pramod Madushan ensured that Sri Lanka's innings didn't end without a fight. The final over saw Sri Lanka pinch 18 runs, including three boundaries, to end with 288/8.

In reply, Pakistan got off to a flyer and they were helped by Madushan who conceded 11 wides in an extremely wayward second over. Both Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were quick to feast on a buffet of loose deliveries on offer. Sri Lanka's indiscretions extended to their fielding too as Asitha Fernando failed to hold on to a chance offered by Fakhar in the seventh over. The opener was dropped again, this time by Liyanage, two overs later. His partner Ayub wasn't so lucky though as he was out caught at mid-off in the 10th over - ending the 77-run opening stand.

While Pakistan's onslaught slackened after the fall of the wicket, they were never under any pressure themselves. The scoreboard ticked along comfortably and the asking always remained within reach. Fakhar reached his fifty in the 22nd over while Sri Lanka continued to spill chances. Two difficult catches went down in successive overs - first when Asalanka dropped a firm pull from Babar at mid-wicket and then when Kamindu had to let-go off a brilliant boundary grab before tumbling over the ropes.

An eventful 31st over saw Babar reach fifty before Fakhar smashed a massive 98-meter six over mid-wicket. He was then dropped once more before getting out caught the very next ball, ending a 100-run partnership. Babar and Rizwan sustained the control that had been established earlier and ensured that there were no further blips in Pakistan's cruise towards victory. They struck timely boundaries as the Sri Lankan bowlers failed to create any further chances. Babar ended his 83-innings century drought in international cricket by bringing up a 20th ODI ton in the 48th over. Pakistan's victory came in the following over.

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