Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka Highlights, 2nd ODI: Babar Azam Ends Century Drought As PAK Beat SL By 8 Wickets

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Stay tuned here for live updates.

The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2025 2nd ODI match will be available for livestreaming on FanCode website and app.

 Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammed Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando

The pitch has less grass on it as compared to the one in the last game but it looks like heavy roller has been used on it. The batters will enjoy it more than the last game while spinners could play a prominent role as the ball gets a bit older.

We are underway at the Rawalpindi Stadium as Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara open the innings for Pakistan. Naseem Shah is bowing the first over for Pakistan.

Sri Lanka get off to a decent start as both the openers hit some cracking boundaries in the first 4 overs.

Nissanka (22*) and Mishara (18*) are looking strong as the pitch offers no movement as such to Pakistan quicks. Pakistan might be missing the services of Shaheen Afridi on this track.

Sri Lanka loses two wickets are a solid start. Both the openers Nissanka (24) and Mishara (27) are back in the hut. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarwickrama are on the crease now.

After losing two wickets back-to-back, Mendis (15*) and Samarwickrama (7*) are looking to stabilise the Sri Lankan innings. Sri Lanka needs one of these batters to play a big innings here.

Just when it was looking that a partnership is brewing between Mendis and Samarwickrama, Abrar strikes as Mendis played a half tracker straight to the mid-wicket fielder. Skipper Charith Asalanka comes to the crease now.

Abrar Ahmed strikes again with the 3rd wicket, this time of the captain Charith Asalanka (6) whose batting woes continues. Sri Lanka batting order is surrendering in front of Abrar Ahmed.

After a mini-collapse, Sri Lankan batters- Samarwickrama (26*) and Liyanage (16*) are striving hard to build a partnership against the dominating Pakistani spinners.

Haris Rauf strikes! Rauf in his comeback spell uproots the stumps of a well-set Sadeera Samarwickrama (42). It's a big blow for Sri Lanka as their 61-run stand for the 5th wickets comes to an end. New batter at the crease in Kamindu Mendis.

The on-going 47-run partnership between Janith Liyanage (41*) and Kamindu Mendis (30*) has provided Sri Lanka with the much-needed stability after a they quick wickets after the powerplay. They would need the duo to bat for atleast five overs so the slog overs could be optimised.

Just what the doctor ordered for Pakistan and what not for Sri Lanka. Kamindu Mendis picked it nicely from his pads but couldn't clear the fielder at deep square leg and Saim Ayub takes an easy catch to dismiss Mendis for 44.

Sri Lankan innings losing steam as it lost both their set batters. First Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyanage dismissed by Mohammed Waseem Jr.

Wanindu Hasaranga's quick fire 37* off 26 balls took Sri Lanka to a competitive score of 288 runs. Janith Liyanage (54) also played a crucial role in setting Pakistan a target of 289 runs to chase.

Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with 3-wickets each. Pakistan would be feeling that they have stopped Sri Lanka at a par score and if dew comes in it could be a easy chase for Pakistan otherwise if Sri Lanka could chip in 2-3 early wickets then they would be in with a very good chance to win this match.

"Janith Liyanage and I wanted to keep the intent and finish it off well. Unfortunately, I got out and in the next over Janith also got out. Our plan was to get a 300-plus total, but somehow we managed to get to 288. My job is to finish the game for my team. I feel I've done that in Test matches as well, playing with the tail. At the start of the innings, there was a bit of spin, but soon after the lights came on, I think the wicket settled. I think our fast bowlers will get momentum as well."

Asitha Fernando concedes 7 runs off the first over, which included a couple of singles and a boundary by Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan need both the openers to fire to ease pressure from Babar Azam who is currently struggling for form.

Pakistan races past 49 runs in just 5 overs while chasing a target of 289. Saim Ayub 21 off just 14 balls has been the wrecker in chief with Fakhar Zaman 16 off 17 balls complementing him very well.

Pakistan loses their first wicket in the form of Saim Ayub (33) after a solid start. Still they are in a strong position with Babar Azam (18) and Fakhar Zaman (38) at the crease now stabilising the innings.

Fakhar Zaman reaches to his half-century as Pakistan marches towards the target without much trouble. Babar Azam (33*) and Fakhar Zaman (50*) are looking comfortable on the crease and gradually taking the game away from Sri Lanka who need at least 2 quick wickets here.

The partnership between Babar Azam (48), Fakhar Zaman (67) grows stronger as Pakistan comes closer to the target. They now need 125 runs off 21 overs.

Despite losing, Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan are going strong with Babar Azam (60*) and Mohammed Rizwan (14*) at crease. They need 80 to win from 84 balls

Babar Azam is all set to end his century drought as he's currently playing on 87 not out with Pakistan needing 36 runs off 48 balls.

Babar Azam finally hits a century in his 84th international innings and ends his century drought. He has also stiched a century stand with Mohammad Rizwan as both veterans are helping Pakistan get a win.

Babar Azam hits the winning runs and a great news for the Men in Green as their former skipper is finally back in form. With this win, Pakistan have sealed the three-match series 2-0 and would aim to white wash by winning the third game as well.

Thank you for joining us in the live coverage.