Babar Azam’s century leads Pakistan in their 67 runs win
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka:
Pakistan: 305/7
Sri Lanka: 238 all out (46.5/50 overs, target 306)
Pakistan won the match against Sri Lanka by 67 runs.
After the first match being abandoned due to rain, the second ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan was a match to see. Pakistan scored 305 runs at the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs. Sri Lanka’s team collapsed around 238 runs in just 46.5 overs while chasing the target of 306 runs. Pakistan won the match by 67 runs against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s innings against Sri Lanka:
After a decade, international cricket finally returns to the grounds of Karachi properly. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first in the 2nd ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq came to bat first against Sri Lanka’s team. Fakhar Zaman scored a total of 54 runs off 64 balls for 6 fours and a six. Fakhar Zaman’s half-century provided Pakistan with a sound start into the match. Imam-ul-Haq lost his wicket to Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva at just 31 runs off 41 balls. Pakistan was around a total of 104/2 after losing both their openers in the 21st over of the match.
Babar Azam, the young star and the current vice-captain of Pakistan, continued to impress everyone with his batting, scoring 115 runs off 105 balls for 8 fours and 4 sixes all around the ground. It was Babar Azam’s 11th ODI hundred in just 71 innings. Babar Azam and Haris Sohail, who scored 40 runs off 48 balls, managed to pull off a 111 runs partnership together for the 3rd wicket in Pakistan’s favor.
Pakistan’s captain and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed could only score 8 runs off 12 balls but Iftikhar Ahmed’s 32 off 20 balls managed to bring a total 300plus runs for Pakistan. Pakistan finished on 305 runs at the loss of 7 wickets in their 50 overs owing to Babar Azam’s huge contribution of 115 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva took 2 wickets for Sri Lanka while Isuru Udana and Lahiru Kumara took 1 wicket each for Sri Lanka. 3 of Pakistan’s batsmen were run out during the match.
Sri Lanka’s innings against Pakistan:
Sri Lanka required 306 runs in 50 overs against Pakistan to win the match. Things did not start well for Sri Lanka’s team as they had lost their 5 wickets in just 28 runs against Pakistan’s bowling attack. Sri Lanka was down to 28/5 when Shehan Jayasuriya and Dasun Shanaka took the match in their hands, setting up the record of a 177 runs partnership for the 6th wicket at a very crucial time for Sri Lanka.
Shehan Jayasuriya missed his hundred by just 4 runs as he scored a total of 96 runs off 109 balls for 7 fours and a six, while his partner Dasun Shanaka scored 68 runs off 80 balls for 6 fours and 2 sixes all over the ground. Both of them batted brilliantly but things had gotten too out of hand for Sri Lanka’s team to do anything.
Sri Lanka finished on 238 runs after losing all their wickets in 46.5 overs against Pakistan. Usman Shinwari earned himself 5 wickets for 51 runs in his 10 overs and Shadab Khan took 2 wickets. Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, and Imad Wasim took 1 wicket each for Pakistan against Sri Lanka.
Usman Shinwari was awarded “Player of the Match” for his exceptional performance with the bowl, taking many important wickets as he took 5 of them for 51 runs. Pakistan is now leading the 3-match ODI series with 1-0 with 1 ODI remaining.
