Rizwan, Babar partnership seals victory in comfortable eight-wicket chase.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday congratulated the Pakistan cricket team for clinching the ODI series against Sri Lanka, praising both the players and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for their efforts.
In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), the premier wrote:
“I congratulate our national team on winning the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and I commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for their great efforts. It was a wonderful display of cricket’s unifying spirit. My special thanks to the Sri Lankan players and management. Their participation once again reflects the enduring friendship between our two nations.”
Babar Azam Inspires Pakistan to Series Victory
Pakistan sealed the series with a commanding eight-wicket win in the second ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a match defined by Babar Azam’s long-awaited return to century-making form.
The former captain struck an unbeaten 102 off 119 balls, ending a two-year century drought. His composed innings, featuring eight boundaries, anchored Pakistan’s chase of 289.
He was well supported by Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 51 not out, forming an unbroken 112-run partnership that carried Pakistan home with 10 balls to spare.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub had earlier given Pakistan the perfect start, smashing 77 runs in just 9.3 overs, putting immediate pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s Total Proves Insufficient
Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 288/8 in 50 overs.
Key contributions included:
- Janith Liyanage – 50
- Saddera Samarawickrama – 42
A stabilising fifth-wicket partnership kept Sri Lanka competitive, but quick breakthroughs from Pakistan halted their momentum.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed and pacer Haris Rauf dismantled the middle order, ensuring Sri Lanka couldn’t accelerate in the final overs.
Among their bowlers, only Dushmantha Chameera claimed multiple wickets, finishing with 2/58.
Cricket Diplomacy Highlighted
The prime minister emphasised the “unifying spirit” of the sport and praised the ongoing goodwill between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The participation of Sri Lankan players, he said, continued to reflect the enduring partnership between the two South Asian nations.