Tag: PAK vs SL

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam finally ended his century drought in international cricket during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

The right-hander notched up his long-awaited 32nd international century. Babar reached the three-figure mark on the first ball of the 47th over with a little pull towards midwicket.

Chasing 289, Pakistan made light work of the target, reaching 291/2 with 10 balls to spare, thanks to commanding contributions from the top order led by their former captain.

Babar scored an unbeaten 102 off 119 deliveries as Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Rawalpindi.

He walked in at No.3 and stitched a century partnership with Fakhar, maintaining Pakistan’s dominance through the middle overs.

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

Fakhar fell for a solid 78 off 93 (8 fours, 1 six), but Pakistan’s chase never wavered as Babar took complete control of proceedings.

The right-hander reached his long-awaited international hundred — his first in nearly two years — and stayed unbeaten on a masterful 102 off 119 balls, decorated with eight boundaries.

Babar finished the match in style, stroking the winning runs to seal both the victory and the series.

For the unversed, Babar last scored an international century against Nepal during the ACC Asia Cup, which was played in ODI format, back in August 2023.

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He scored an impressive 151 runs off just 131 balls, featuring 18 boundaries, including four soaring sixes.

Since that knock, however, Babar has experienced a notable dip in form. Over the past 15 months, he has struggled to reach the three-figure mark across all three formats of the game.

Playing XIs

READ: Shaheen Afridi breaks silence on replacing Mohammad Rizwan as captain

RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam starred with a masterful ton and helped Pakistan clinch the ODI series against Sri Lanka here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

More to follow….

Set a stiff 289-run target, Pakistan hit the winning runs with ease, losing just two wickets in the process with 10 balls to spare.

The openers provided a brisk start as Green Shirts raced to 77 in only 9.4 overs. Saim Ayub, who remained the core aggressor, departed after making 33 from 25 balls with the aid of five fours and a six.

Following his wicket, Fakhar Zaman was joined by Babar Azam, with both stitching a century partnership that flattened the Islanders. The stand brought the total to 177 in 30.5 overs, thanks to sloppy Sri Lanka fielding, who dropped Fakhar thrice.

Eventually, the left-hander was removed after making 78 from 93 that included eight fours and a six.

However, the wicket did not hamper the scoring as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan put on an unbeaten 112-run partnership.

Babar remained unbeaten with 102 from 119 balls, an innings laced with eight fours, while Rizwan 51 from 54 included five fours and a six.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Janith Liyanage’s gutsy half-century and Wanindu Hasaranga’s cameo powered Sri Lanka to a strong total.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka amassed 288-8 in their allotted 50 overs.

Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara started strong, adding 51 in 9.1 overs, with the stand culminating courtesy of a run-out. The former 24 from 31 balls included four boundaries.

The home side did not have to wait long for wickets to tumble as Abrar Ahmed’s magical bowling ripped through the Islanders’ middle-order.

Mishara was the second to go, stumped after making 27 from 39 with the help of two fours. The leg-spinner then dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order, dismissing Kusal Mendis (20) and captain Charith Asalanka (6) in quick succession to leave the tourists reeling at 98/4 in the 22nd over.

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Sadeera Samarawickrama and Liyanage attempted to rebuild, adding 61 runs for the fifth wicket before Haris Rauf returned to end Samarawickrama’s fluent knock of 42 off 52 balls in the 32nd over.

Liyanage continued to anchor the innings, forging another crucial partnership—73 runs—with Kamindu Mendis for the sixth wicket.

Both, however, fell within nine deliveries of each other. Liyanage’s 54 off 63 balls featured two boundaries and a six, while Kamindu contributed an aggressive 44 off 38 deliveries, striking four fours and two sixes.

Haris struck again in the 45th over, trapping Dushmantha Chameera for a duck to reduce Sri Lanka to 244/8.

Wanindu Hasaranga then provided late resistance with a brisk, unbeaten 37 off 26 balls, supported by Pramod Madushan, who finished on 11*.

For Pakistan, Abrar and Haris led the attack with three wickets each, while Mohammad Wasim Jr added one to his name.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

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

READ: WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah, Pant caught on stump mic calling Bavuma ‘dwarf’

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi was absent from the playing XI for Friday’s second ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Fans were left surprised when T20I captain Salman Ali Agha came out to take part in the toss.

Salman clarified that Shaheen has been ruled out due to illness, while Faheem Ashraf is also unavailable for the match.

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Spinner Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jr have been drafted into the side in their place.

“Shaheen [Afridi] is unwell, and Faheem [Ashraf] also misses out. Abrar Ahmed and [Mohammad] Wasim Jr come in,” Agha confirmed at the toss.

Shaheen was appointed Pakistan’s 50-over captain on October 20, replacing Mohammad Rizwan ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

He successfully led the team to a 2-1 series win over the Proteas in his first assignment as skipper.

Rizwan had captained Pakistan in 20 ODIs, securing nine wins and 11 losses, with a winning percentage of 45.

The wicket-keeper was appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October 2024 ahead of tours to Australia and Zimbabwe.

READ: Mahmudul Hasan Joy stars as Bangladesh thrash Ireland in first Test

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to field first in the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Playing XIs

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 158 One Day International (ODI) matches. The Green Shirts have won 94, while Sri Lanka came out victorious in 59. A solitary match ended in a tie, while four ended in no result.

Matches 158, Pakistan 94, Sri Lanka 59, No Result 4, Tie 1

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

Pakistan recently wrapped up a successful home series against South Africa, winning both the T20I and ODI series 2-1, while the Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

After the ongoing ODI series, Zimbabwe will join the two teams for a T20I tri-series starting on November 17.

The opening fixtures will take place in Rawalpindi, before the tournament shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where the final will be played on November 29.

READ: PCB shortlists THESE six cities for new PSL teams

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that tickets for the upcoming T20I tri-series, featuring the hosts, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, will be available for purchase online from 2 pm today (Friday).

Fans can secure their seats through pcb.tcs.com.pk, while physical tickets will reach TCS Express Centres from 3pm on Saturday, 15 November. Details regarding ECP enclosures will be shared separately.

The week-long tri-series will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 18 to 29 November, with all seven matches scheduled for 6pm local time.

This marks an important home assignment for Pakistan, bringing three teams together under lights in Rawalpindi.

The PCB has kept ticket prices accessible for most enclosures, with General enclosure seats, Miran Bakhsh and Sohail Tanvir, priced at PKR 200 for all group matches and PKR 300 for the final.

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Tickets for the First-Class enclosures (Shoaib Akhtar, Yasir Arafat) will be priced at PKR 300 for all matches except the final, which will be available at PKR 400.

Fans wishing to watch the action from the Premium enclosures (Azhar Mahmood, Javed Miandad) can purchase tickets at PKR 400 for the first, second, fifth and sixth T20Is.

For the third and fourth fixtures, tickets will be priced at PKR 500, while premium tickets for the final will be available at PKR 600.

Tickets for the VIP enclosures (Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar) will be priced at PKR 500 for the first two T20Is and for the fixtures on 25 and 27 November.

For the contests on 22 and 23 November, tickets will be priced at PKR 600, while tickets for the final will cost PKR 700.

Seats in the PCB Gallery (Main Building) will be priced at PKR 1,000 for the first two T20Is and for the fixtures on 25 and 27 November.

For the 22 and 23 November matches, Gallery tickets will be available at PKR 1,200, while the final will be priced at PKR 1,500.

Platinum Box seats will be priced at PKR 8,000 for matches on 18, 20, 25 and 27 November, while for the matches on 22 and 23 November, they will be available at PKR 10,000.

Far-End Box seats will cost PKR 7,000 for matches on 18, 20, 25 and 27 November, while tickets for the 22 and 23 November fixtures will be priced at PKR 8,000. For the final, Far-End Box seats will be available at PKR 10,000.

Hospitality boxes for the series are also available for sale. For more information, fans can contact the PCB head office.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here!

The PCB also recently confirmed a revised schedule for the tournament. Pakistan and Zimbabwe will open the series on 18 November, followed by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe on 20 November.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on 22 November, then take on Zimbabwe again on 23 November.

The remaining group matches, Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (25 November) and Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (27 November), will set the stage for the tri-series final on 29 November.

Revised T20I Tri-Series Schedule:

• November 18: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 20: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 29: Final

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan cricket team players and fans extended a warm welcome to the Sri Lanka team here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the second One Day International (ODI).

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) uploaded a video on its social media handles, showing players and kids showering the visiting team with flowers on their arrival to the stadium.

“Friendship not out. Pakistan players and fans come together to welcome the Sri Lankan team,” the caption read.

This comes after several players of the visiting team reportedly sought an early exit, citing safety concerns. Following this, the uncertainty loomed over the tour.

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However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) assured its players that all safety measures were being implemented in close coordination with the PCB and local authorities.

Due to this reason, the second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, 13 November, will now be played on Friday, 14 November, while the final fixture is set for Sunday, 16 November.

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

Furthermore, the upcoming T20I tri-nation series, involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, was also rescheduled, with all matches to be played in Rawalpindi instead of Lahore.

According to the updated itinerary, the tri-series will now begin on November 18, a day later than originally planned, with the final set for November 29.

Revised T20I Tri-Series Schedule:

• November 18: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 20: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
• November 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
• November 29: Final

  READ:WATCH: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi meets touring Sri Lanka team

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met visiting Sri Lanka team players here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Fred Sri Weeratne and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry were also present during the visit.

Naqvi inspected the security arrangements and met with the officers on duty. He urged the personnel of law enforcement agencies to perform their duties with dedication and commitment.

The PCB chairman also met with the Sri Lankan cricket team players, who were present for practice, and personally thanked them for continuing the tour.

“Your security is our responsibility.” “Your continued visit to Pakistan is a victory for peace and a defeat for terrorism,” he said.

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“The entire nation of Pakistan will always remain indebted to your love and sincerity.” “This beautiful chapter of friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will always be remembered by the Pakistani nation,” he maintained.

Fred Sri Weeratne also shared his views on this occasion, calling Pakistan his second home.

“I have served in different countries, but I consider Pakistan my second home.”
“We are fully satisfied with the security arrangements,” the envoy remarked.

The Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, the Commissioner of Rawalpindi, the IG Islamabad Police, and senior officials from law enforcement agencies were also present on the occasion.

For the unversed, uncertainty loomed over the ongoing Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan after several of their players reportedly sought an early exit, citing safety concerns.

However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) assured its players that all safety measures were being implemented in close coordination with the PCB and local authorities.

Due to this reason, the second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, 13 November, will now be played on Friday, 14 November, while the final fixture is set for Sunday, 16 November.

READ: Aqib Javed breaks silence on Babar Azam’s T20I exclusion

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Thursday, reprimanded the Pakistan men’s cricket team for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first ODI of their three-match series against Sri Lanka.

According to the ICC, match referee Ali Naqvi from the Elite Panel imposed the sanction after Pakistan fell four overs short of the required target, even after considering time allowances.

Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Green Shirts have been handed a 20 per cent fine of the match fees.

Pakistan’s captain, Shaheen Afridi, accepted the charges and penalties, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

Nonetheless, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the opening ODI by a narrow margin of six runs. Salman Ali Agha and Haris Rauf starred for Green Shirts, with the former scoring an unbeaten century, whereas the latter picked up a four-wicket haul.

Chasing down a 300-run target, Sri Lanka managed to score 293 runs in their 50 overs, courtesy of Wanindu Hasaranga’s spirited half-century in the last phase of the innings.

It is pertinent to mention that the three-match ODI series faced uncertainty after several Sri Lankan players reportedly requested to return home on November 12, a day after the first ODI in Rawalpindi.

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In response, SLC assured its players that all safety measures were being implemented in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities.

Notably, the second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, 13 November, will now be played on Friday, 14 November, while the final fixture is set for Sunday, 16 November.

READ: Pakistan cricketers thank Sri Lanka for continuing white-ball tour

Pakistan cricketers have expressed their gratitude to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the touring team for continuing their tour despite several players raising safety concerns.

The series faced uncertainty after several Sri Lankan players reportedly requested to return home on November 12, a day after the first ODI in Rawalpindi.

In response, SLC assured its players that all safety measures were being implemented in close coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities.

The board instructed players and support staff to continue the tour, clarifying that anyone choosing to leave would be immediately replaced to ensure the series proceeded without disruption.

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Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar praised Sri Lanka’s decision, posting on X: “Thank you Sri Lanka Team for standing with cricket and defeating terrorism.”

Similarly, former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said: “After a turbulent day, I am so pleased to know that the Sri Lanka tour is on!”

“A collective effort from all of us will help address such manic behaviour and brutality! A big thank you to the Sri Lankan Board, the players, and our Cricket Board for their efforts to ensure that cricket emerges as the true winner!”

Current Pakistan stars also voiced their appreciation.

Catch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka news updates here!

Salman Ali Agha thanked the Sri Lankan board and players for supporting Pakistan during a difficult time, urging fans to fill the stadium for the remaining ODIs.

Meanwhile, Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi requested fans to attend the November 14 and 16 fixtures in large numbers, while Haris Rauf emphasized that Sri Lanka’s decision was a win for cricket itself.

Notably, the second ODI, originally scheduled for Thursday, 13 November, will now be played on Friday, 14 November, while the final fixture is set for Sunday, 16 November.

READ: Portugal’s Ronaldo expects Ireland fans’ boos ahead of World Cup Qualifier

ISLAMABAD: Zimbabwe national cricket team has landed in Pakistan ahead of the T20I tri-nation series featuring the hosts and Sri Lanka, slated to take place in Rawalpindi from November 18 to 29.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Sikandar Raza-led side will take a day’s rest before beginning training on Friday as preparations ramp up for the week-long tournament.

The series, initially scheduled to begin on November 17, was pushed back by a day following uncertainty surrounding Sri Lanka’s ongoing white-ball tour of Pakistan.

The revision came after several Sri Lankan players expressed a desire to return home, citing security concerns in the aftermath of a recent bomb blast in Islamabad.

In a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the situation, saying the team management had informed the board about the players’ concerns.

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The SLC, however, assured its squad that all safety measures were being taken in close coordination with the PCB and local authorities to ensure their well-being.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was informed by the team management that several members of the national team touring Pakistan have requested to return home, citing safety concerns,” the board said.

“Following this development, SLC immediately engaged with the players and assured them that all such concerns are being duly addressed in close coordination with the PCB and the relevant authorities.”

The statement further clarified that any player opting to return home despite the board’s assurances would be replaced, with their decision to be formally reviewed.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Pakistan–Sri Lanka ODI series has also seen a minor adjustment, with the remaining two fixtures in Rawalpindi now set to take place on November 14 and 16, both postponed by a day each.

READ: PCB reschedules remaining Sri Lanka-Pakistan ODI fixtures