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New Delhi: Babar Azam’s international century drought extended to 800 days after he departed for 29 runs in the first ODI against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, November 11. He smashed three boundaries in his 51-ball innings before Wanindu Hasaranga cleaned him up with a googly.
It has now been 83 innings since the former Pakistan captain last notched up a century, with his last coming during the Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal. Babar has equalled Virat Kohli’s record of most innings without a hundred in international cricket. Among Asian batters, Sanath Jayasuriya is in the first position on the list, having ended a similar drought after 87 innings.
After being put in to bat, Pakistan suffered an early blow with Asitha Fernando removing Saim Ayub. After his dismissal, Babar joined Fakhar Zaman to rebuild the innings, forging a 54-run partnership. However, Hasaranga’s brilliant bowling again changed the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour, as he broke the stand with the prized wicket of Babar.
Salman Agha's hundred and Haris Rauf's four-wicket haul gave Pakistan a winning start in the ODI series against Sri Lanka as they beat the visitors by six runs in the first ODI in Rawalpindi.
Agha's unbeaten 105 runs and Hussain Talat's 62 helped Pakistan to finish at 299/5. Sri Lanka started the chase well, as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara stitched a 89-run stand. The visitors lost wickets regularly with Kusal Mendis (0), Sadeera Samarawickrama (39), Charith Asalanka (32), and Kamindu Mendis (9) failing to play big knocks in the run chase.
Wanindu Hasaranga came up with a fighting 59 runs off 52 balls, but his knock went in vain as Sri Lanka fell just short. Haris Rauf picked up four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf also took two wickets each. The second ODI of the series will be played on November 13 at the same venue.
