RAWALPINDI: Pakistan opted to field first after winning the toss in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said he chose to bowl first after assessing the pitch conditions. He added that the entire squad is in good form, noting that players have performed consistently well over the last two series. According to him, a target of 290 runs is competitive on the Rawalpindi surface.
Sri Lanka’s captain said the team has made four changes for the match and will give their full effort to secure a win today.
Having already sealed the three-match series 2–0, with a narrow six-run victory in the opener and a convincing chase of 289 in the second match, the home side is now eyeing a clean sweep.
The second ODI proved to be a memorable outing for Babar Azam, who finally broke his lengthy century drought. His superb hundred played a central role in Pakistan’s commanding eight-wicket triumph.
Chasing 289, Pakistan crossed the finish line with ease, losing only two wickets and wrapping up the game with 10 balls still in hand.
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The run chase began with a strong opening stand, as Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub blasted 77 runs in just 9.3 overs. The partnership ended when Saim was removed by Dushmantha Chameera.
Saim made 33 from 25 balls, hammering five boundaries and a six.
Babar Azam walked in at No.3 and joined Fakhar to keep Pakistan comfortably ahead of the required rate. The pair stitched together a 100-run partnership before Chameera struck again, dismissing Fakhar in the 31st over.
Fakhar contributed a solid 78 off 93 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
Babar, meanwhile, held the innings together, reaching his first international century in two years and guiding Pakistan to victory by scoring the winning runs in the second-last over. He finished unbeaten on 102 from 119 deliveries, decorated with eight boundaries.
He and Mohammad Rizwan put on an unbroken 112-run stand. Rizwan ended with 51 not out off 54 deliveries, striking five fours and a six.
For Sri Lanka, Chameera was the only bowler to claim wickets, picking up both dismissals while conceding 58 runs in his 10 overs.
