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Babar breaks century drought to help Pakistan clinch series
Barbar Azam hit his first international century in more than two years, as Pakistan’s senior batters made light work of chasing down the target of 289. Sri Lanka’s middle order had dragged the total to 288 for 8 after they’d lost early wickets. But on a flat Rawalpindi track, they never looked like defending their score, particularly after their opening bowlers were wayward. Pakistan got home with 10 balls to spare, and eight wickets at their disposal. They have now won the series 2-0, with one match to play.
Babar’s 102 not out off 119 – his 20th ODI ton – was not only significant for ending his international century drought (his last hundred had been in May 2023), but for equaling Saeed Anwar’s record for most ODI hundreds for Pakistan. He had two ultra productive regions – through cover and midwicket. Those areas brought him 61 of his runs, and six of his eight fours. He was never seriously tested in this innings, however. Sri Lanka had played one bowler too few, and their seamers were having an off day in any case. At no phase in the innings did the required rate threaten to get out of hand.
Though that century is the big news, all four of Pakistan’s top order batters played important innings. Saim Ayub set the chase off rapidly with his 33 off 25 balls, before Fakha4 Zaman’s 78 off 93 helped consolidate that start. Babar put on a 100-run stand with Zaman, before Mohammad Rizwan joined him at the crease for an unbeaten 112-run affair. Rizwan finished with 52 not out off 51 balls.
Sri Lanka were poor in the first 20 overs of both innings. Having been put into bat, they were 90 for 3 in the 20th over, before that scoreline worsened to 98 for 4. Some spunk was shown by the likes of Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who all made scores between 37 and 54 – Liyanage the only Sri Lanka batter to make a half-century. Although Hasaranga put in another excellent batting effort to elevate Sri Lanka’s death overs performance, 289 always seemed eminently gettable.
It felt even more gettable when Sri Lanka’s opening bowlers were wayward with the new ball. Asitha Fernando went at 10 an over in the powerplay. Pramod Madushan – playing his first international in 18 months, conceded 19 runs in his first two overs. After eight overs, during which Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka went to a Plan B that also didn’t work out, Pakistan were 73 for no loss.
Babar too had a close call on 5, when he chipped one back to Madushan who couldn’t hold on in his follow-through. He was slow to start with, making 12 off his first 22 balls. But when he drove Madushan crisply down the ground for four in the 16th over, he began to find his rhythm, particularly against the seam bowlers. With even the experienced pairing of Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando struggling to bowl consistent lines, Pakistan’s batters found their progress fairly smooth
Sri Lanka’s top wicket-taker from Tuesday – Wanindu Hasaranga – also appeared to be struggling with a back complaint, and exited the field at least twice to receive treatment. With the seamers leaking so many runs, Pakistan’s batters could afford to see Hasaranga off safely.
There were points in Zaman’s innings, particularly after he crossed 50, when he struggled to find boundaries. But even when Sri Lanka squeezed, they could never do so for long. Babar and Rizwan’s progress to the target was almost frictionless in the last 15 overs of the game.
Earlier in the game, it had been legspinner Abrar Ahmed who imposed himself. Sri Lanka’s openers had begun brightly but lost Pathum Nissanka to a heedless third run, before Abrar had Kamil Mishara stumped. He also had Kusal Mendis pull him straight to short midwicket, and soon after trapped Asalanka in front of the stumps. He was Pakistan’s best bowler, with 3 for 41. Haris Rauf also finished with three wickets, taking two of those at the death.
Brief scores;
Pakistan 289 for 2 in 48.2 overs (Babar Azam 102*, Fakhar Zaman 78, Mohammed Rizwan 51*; Dushmantha Chameera 2-58) beat Sri Lanka 288 for 8 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 42, Janith Liyanage 54, Kamindu Mendis 44, Wanindu Hasaranga 37*; Haris Rauf 3-66, Abrar Ahmed 3-41) by eight wickets
(Cricinfo)
Thirty-six (36) naval personnel completed an eight-month Basic Marine Qualification Course and received their Marine insignia at the main parade ground of SLNS Vidura in Sampur, Trincomalee today, (29 August 2026).
At the invitation of Commandant SLNS Vidura, Captain Ravindu Harischandra, the ceremony was graced by Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area.
The group, comprising 3 officers and 33 sailors, completed the 10th intake of the Basic Marine Qualification Course, after volunteering for the demanding training programme.
In recognition of exceptional performance during the training, trophies were presented to outstanding personnel. Lieutenant (S) VPA Sasanka was awarded trophies for Best Marine of the Course, Highest Aggregate in Overall Subjects, and Best Marksman.
Physical Training Instructor WMGDP Bandara received the trophy for Best Physical Fitness. Addressing the newly qualified personnel,
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage congratulated them on successfully completing the course. He urged them to use the skills and experience gained through their training to contribute to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also called on them to apply the courage and determination developed during the course both in their professional and personal lives, and to remain prepared to meet any challenge faced by the country.
He stressed the importance of keeping their knowledge and training up to date and maintaining constant vigilance while carrying out their duties.
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage also expressed his appreciation to
the Commanding Officer of SLNS Vidura and the directing staff for their contribution to the successful completion of the course.
The insignia ceremony also included a demonstration showcasing the capabilities and skills of the Sri Lanka Navy Marine.
Rear Admiral Achala Silva, Director General Logistics; Rear Admiral Kusal Dissanayake, Commandant Naval Infantry; Commodore Sanjeewa Kodikara, Director Marine; officers
from Navy Headquarters and the Eastern Naval Area; senior officers from the Army, Air Force and Police; and parents of the newly passed out marine personnel attended the ceremony.
Water levels in the lake which formed amid the debris of the landslide in Tibet are rising once again, according to Chinese state media.
There is a continued risk of secondary mudslides or landslides, the report adds.
The command team in charge of rescue efforts around Gyirong port, the main land border between Nepal and Tibet, have launched drones and set up observations posts to monitor the slopes and provide an early warning system to rescuers working nearby.
Search teams are making the most of a short weather window to try to find survivors.
Work is also underway to try to re-open the road.
(Aljazeera)
More than 600 people have died following Wednesday’s devastating flash flood in Nepal.
An update from Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirms the figure as 626 and the number of people missing as 2,426, as rescue operations continue for the fourth day
Emergency teams are warning that rain is making it difficult to reach some of the worst affected areas, our correspondent in Trishuli writes
Families of the missing – including at least 517 foreign nationals – are waiting for news on the whereabouts of their loved ones
(Aljazeera)
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