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. After restricting the visitors to 288, Pakistan chased the total 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 with a 51-run stand. Pathum Nissanka was run-out in the 10th over. Kamil Mishara was then stumped off Abrar Ahmed in the 14th over. Kusal Mendis fell to Abrar in the 20th over, and the leg-spinner trapped Charith Asalanka LBW an over later to leave Sri Lanka on 98/4.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage shared a 61-run stand before Samarawickrama lost his off-stump to Haris Rauf in the 32nd over. Kamindu Mendis then contributed positively, adding 73 runs with Liyanage, who reached his fifty. Pakistan struck back by dismissing Kamindu and Liyanage in successive overs. Dushmantha Chameera fell for a golden duck to Rauf, but a 44-run stand between Wanindu Hasaranga and Pramod Madushan helped Sri Lanka finish at 288/8.

In reply, Pakistan started strongly, aided by Madushan's 11 wides in the second over. Fakhar Zaman was dropped twice early on. Saim Ayub fell in the 10th over, ending the 77-run opening stand. Pakistan's chase remained comfortable, with Fakhar reaching his fifty in the 22nd over. Sri Lanka dropped two more difficult catches in successive overs.

In the 31st over, Babar reached fifty before Fakhar smashed a 98-meter six. Fakhar was dropped again but fell the next ball, ending a 100-run partnership. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan maintained control, with Babar ending his century drought by scoring his 20th ODI ton in the 48th over. Pakistan sealed victory in the following over.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 288/8 in 50 overs (Janith Liyanage 54, Kamindu Mendis 44; Abrar Ahmed 3-41, Haris Rauf 3-66) lost to Pakistan 289/2 (Babar Azam 102*, Fakhar Zaman 78; Dushmantha Chameera 2-58) by 8 wickets.