PAK vs SL, 2nd ODI: Babar Azam's 11th ODI Ton Propels Pakistan To 305-run Total At Karachi

The hosts batting efforts were spearheaded by their ever dependable No.3 Babar Azam who stroked his way to his 11th ODI ton. Azam top scored with a fluent 115-run knock off 105 deliveries.

Pakistan posted a challenging 305-run total against Sri Lanka in the second one day international which is currently being played at the National Stadium in Karachi. The batting efforts by the host nation brought much delight to their die-hard cricket fans who eventually got to witness a limited overs international after nearly a decade. The hosts batting efforts were spearheaded by their ever dependable No.3 Babar Azam who stroked his way to his 11th ODI ton. Azam top scored with a fluent 115-run knock off 105 deliveries. His knock was laced with 4 sixes and eight boundaries. Earlier Pakistani skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and had no hesitance in electing to bat on a batting strip at Karachi. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haq gave the hosts a breezy start scoring at a fair click in the power-play. Against the run of play, spinner Wanindu Hasaranga trapped Imam leg before to break the opening stand which looked pretty dangerous. Hasaranga struck again to dismiss Fakhar Zaman, but not before the left-hander had scored a well compiled half ton. Azam stitched handy partnerships with Zaman and Harris Sohail to steady the Pakistani innings and take them past the 200-run mark.  Seamer Lahiru Kumara eventually got the centurion Azam, much to his sides relief. There were needless run-outs of Harris Sohail and skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed which derailed the innings for a brief period. However, Iftikhar Ahmed played a quick fire cameo (32 off 20 balls)  to help Pakistan end up with an  imposing 305 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was the most successful of the Sri Lankan bowlers, picking up two wickets.