• Source:JND
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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODIs: Pakistan's former captain Babar Azam finally ended his long wait for an international hundred drought during the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Notably, Babar brought up his 20th ODI century to help his side win the contest and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Notably, Babar remained unbeaten on 102 off 119 balls as Pakistan chased a target of 289, helping his team win by eight wickets. In the Cricketing records, Babar equalled the record of most ODI centuries along with former Pakistan batter Saeed Anwar.

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As soon as the 31-year-old got to his hundred, Babar celebrated with a wide smile on his face as he hugged Mohammed Rizwan at the non-striker's end. Fans on social media couldn't help but draw comparisons with talismanic India batter Virat Kohli who expressed his emotions in a similar way when he put an end to his century drought in 2019. Check out the video here:

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This marked Babar's first century in 84 international innings, his previous hundred having come against Nepal on 30 August back in the Asia Cup 2023. Since then, he had crossed fifty on 20 occasions, but was unable to convert it into a three-figure mark.

With the win, Pakistan also secured the three-match series, leading 2-0.

Coming to the match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. While Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissanka (24) and Kamil Mishara (27) batted well to provide the team with a fifty-run stand at the top, both lost their wickets in quick succession. Kusal Mendis (20) followed soon, but Sadeera Samarawickrama (42) stabilised the innings for Sri Lanka. Captain Charith Asalanka (6) could not contribute much with the bat, but valuable contributions from Janith Liyanage (54), Kamindu Mendis (44) and Wanindu Hasaranga (37) helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 288/8 in their 50 overs.

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Chasing 289, Pakistan got a strong start from their openers Fakhar Zaman (78) and Saim Ayub (33). Babar entered the crease following Ayub's wicket, with Pakistan at 77-1. He reached his half-century off 68 balls and built a crucial 100-run partnership with Fakhar.

He later joined hands with Mohammad Rizwan (51) to add an unbeaten 112 runs for the third wicket, bringing up his century off 115 deliveries and helping Pakistan comfortably chase the target in 48.2 overs.

Inputs from ANI

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