Star Pakistan batsman Babar Azam lastly ended his 807-day-long century drought with a match-winning hundred within the second ODI towards Sri Lanka on Friday, 14 November, on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. Babar scored an unbeaten 102 (119), laced with eight fours, to assist his aspect chase down the goal of 289 in 48.2 overs and win the match by eight wickets.
It was the primary century for Babar after 84 innings in worldwide cricket, together with his earlier one coming towards Nepal on 30 August in the course of the Asia Cup 2023. Since then, Babar crossed the fifty-run mark 20 instances however might by no means attain the elusive three-figure milestone.
Nevertheless, he lastly breathed a sigh of aid after finishing his twentieth ODI century and acknowledged the assist from the gang, which was constantly chanting his identify. Along with his hundred, he additionally registered the joint-most centuries for Pakistan in ODIs, alongside Saeed Anwar.
Babar required solely 136 innings to succeed in 20 centuries within the 50-over format, making him the third-fastest to the landmark after Hashim Amla (108 innings) and Virat Kohli (133 innings). It was additionally his eighth century on dwelling soil, essentially the most by any Pakistan batsman, surpassing Mohammad Yousuf (7).
Babar arrived on the crease following a strong 77-run opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman off 58 balls. He started his innings cautiously, rotating the strike early on, and struck his first boundary after 23 balls. He went on to finish his half-century off 68 deliveries and was concerned in a considerable 100-run stand off 127 balls with Fakhar Zaman (78 off 93) for the second wicket.
Babar then featured in an unbeaten 112-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan (51 off 54) for the third wicket as he accomplished his century off 115 deliveries. Courtesy of their huge stand, Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-match collection, with the ultimate ODI scheduled to be performed on Sunday, 16 November, on the similar venue.
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