PAK vs SL Ball by Ball Commentary

That's it, it's all over and Pakistan have sealed the ODI series 2-0 with a game in hand. A juicy full toss, wide of the off stump and Babar Azam drives it to deep cover for a single. Pakistan win by 8 wickets and according to the on-air commentators, this is Pakistan's fourth bilateral ODI series win in a row against Sri Lanka.

A slower ball, on a length and on leg stump, Rizwan dabs it down through short fine leg and calls for two right away. The batters run the first run hard but Rizwan turns and sends Babar back as he realizes there's no second run on offer.

FIFTY up for Mohammad Rizwan and this has been a very controlled and poised knock from him. A short ball around off, Rizwan fetches the ball and pulls it down to deep square leg for a single. This is Rizwan's 18th ODI half century, his 3rd one against Sri Lanka.

Hard length outside off, Babar Azam eases it through the gap between point and covers and turns the strike over.

Gets the straight yorker in, does Madushan and Babar Azam can't get it away.

Banged in short and outside off, Babar Azam just leaves it alone.

A bit fuller in length and on middle, Rizwan pushes the ball straight to mid on and scurries through for a single. Rizwan moves on to 49 now.

There it is, an international century after more than 2 years and 83 innings and one can sense the relief on Babar Azam's face. This is bowled a bit short and over middle, Babar swats the pull straight to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single to bring up his 20th ODI century, equalling Saeed Anwar's record of most ODI centuries by a Pakistani batter.

Good length in the channel outside off, keeps a bit low as well. Rizwan hangs back to cut but misses.

Another bouncer to Babar, dug in well short and over middle, Babar pulls it down to deep square leg for just one more and moves on to 99.

Slower one, a bit short and on leg, Rizwan dabs it down through short fine leg and turns the strike over.

A bumper now, over off and middle, Babar gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Wow, what a shot and up comes the 100-run stand between these two. Just too full and outside off, Babar Azam hangs back and hammers it through extra cover as the ball rockets to the fence. Babar moves on to 97 now.

Dug in a bit short and outside off, Babar Azam gets on his toes and smacks it down to the right of short cover but the substitute fielder, Lahiru Udara makes a fine stop. The pressure of that elusive century keeps growing on Babar.

FOUR! Edged away! Good length in the channel, skids off the surface. Mohammad Rizwan looks to play with an angled bat face but the ball takes the outside edge and runs away into the deep third fence. Just 13 needed now off 24 balls.

Goes for the yorker on leg stump and errs on the fuller side by a few inches. Rizwan nudges it towards short mid-wicket and looks for the single but is sent back.

Hard length over middle and leg, pushed across firmly down to deep mid-wicket for a single by Babar.

Wide! Another short ball, just angling down the leg side and that's the second one over shoulder height as well.

A good bumper, banged in over middle and Babar Azam has to ukc under it.

Dug in a bit short and over middle, Rizwan smacks the pull shot down to deep square leg and turns the strike over.

Hard length over the stumps, Babar stays upright and turs it wide of mid on for a single.

SIX! Rizwan clears the fence at will and with ease. Good length onto the pads, Mohammad Rizwan clears his front foot from the line of it and slogs this out of the park into the stands toward the deep mid-wicket region.

Good length on off, Babar Azam pushes this in the gap for a single.

BYE! On a length around leg, angling into the batter. Mohammad Rizwan jumps down the track and swings at it but misses out.

Good length on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan tucks this to mid-wicket.

Good length around off, Mohammad Rizwan dabs this to point.

Short pitched around off, Babar Azam pulls this flat towards deep square leg for a single.

Quicker one, on off, Mohammad Rizwan flicks this to mid-wicket for a dot to end the over. Wanindu Hasaranga stays wicketless as he ends his spell with 35 for nothing.

Floated full and on off, Mohammad Rizwan defends this one as well.

Googly on off, Mohammad Rizwan gets right on top and blocks.

A bit quicker and fuller, on off. Mohammad Rizwan blocks this out.

Floated on off, Babar Azam drives this through mid off and jogs to the other end.

Fuller on middle and leg, Babar Azam drills this to the bowler's right for no run. Wanindu Hasaranga does well to keep it down to nothing with a diving effort to his right.

Good length on off, Mohammad Rizwan blocks this out.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Back of a length around off, Mohammad Rizwan stays leg side to the pitch of it and flat bats it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary more. Pakistan now needs 31 more to win.

Good length on middle and off, Mohammad Rizwan thumps this to mid off.

Good length around off, Mohammad Rizwan cuts this to point.

Back of a length on off, Babar Azam hops up on his toes and punches this through cover for a single.

Good length on off, Babar Azam punches this to cover for no run.

Fuller on the pads, Mohammad Rizwan tucks this to the right of the bowler for no run.

Fuller around off, Babar Azam works this in the gap and takes a single.

Floated on off, Babar Azam blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! 250 comes up for Pakistan as Babar Azam inches even closer to his century. Short of a length on off, Babar Azam rocks onto his back foot and punches this through the gap at cover region for a boundary more. Onto 86 now is Babar.

Quicker one, on off, Babar Azam blocks it out.

Fuller on middle and leg, Mohammad Rizwan drives this away in the gap for a strike rotation.

FOUR! Babar moves into the 80s with this boundary. Good length around the hips of a quality batter and Babar Azam just swings and connects well to flick it into the gap behind square on leg for a boundary. Babar Azam moves to 82.

Good length onto the pads, Mohammad Rizwan pulls this towards deep square leg for a single.

WIDE! On a length, wide down the leg. Mohammad Rizwan looks to sweep it away but misses. Wided.

Good length on middle and leg, Babar Azam works this to mid-wicket for one.

Short pitched, down the leg. Babar Azam goes for the hook but misses out.

Good length around off, Mohammad Rizwan cuts this to deep point for one.

FOUR! Rizwan shows his intentions straightaway after the break. On a length around off, Mohammad Rizwan shimmies down the track and smashes this up and over the fielder at mid off for a boundary.

A tad short and outside off, punched away off the back foot and square through the off side for a single.

Flighted ball, in and around off, Rizwan leans on to defend.

Shortish length, darted into the body, Babar turns it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up outside off, Babar Azam comes down the pitch, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it well wide of deep cover for a boundary.

Flattens the trajectory and darts it into the batter, Rizwan sits down and angles the pull well behind square leg for a single.

Flatter one, on a good length and on middle, Babar flicks it wide of mid-wicket and gets across for a single.

Back of a length and around off, Riwan looks to punch it off the back foot but miscues it badly.

Hard length again, jags back into the batter, Rizwan nudges it across to mid-wicket.

Hard length at the stumps, punched away gently past the bowler and to the left of mid on for a quick single. The 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

Good length outside off, patted down through cover for a single by Rizwan.

FOUR! Top shot! Fuller in length and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan gets a good stride forward and punches the cover drive through the gap and picks up a boundary.

A length ball on off, Babar Azam stands tall and just leans halfway, punching it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up outside off, Babar Azam steps out and pushes it straight to cover where the fielder is a bit too eager to collect the ball and lets it through. Babar gets another single.

Good running! Floats it up a bit and bowls it outside off, Rizwan lunges to block and gets it in front of covers for a quick single.

Darted in full and straight, Babar leans on and turn it wide of mid on for a single.

Full and outside off, punched on the full but straight to cover.

Wide! Another quicker one, a bit full and well outside off. Babar leaves it alone.

Fires it in full and outside off, Babar jams it firmly towards cover.

FOUR! Starts with the left-arm orthodox spin and bowls it short and wide. Babar Azam stays put and slaps the ball away perfectly between deep cover and long off and picks up a boundary.

Rizwan is looking to just play that same shot to Hasaranga but isn't getting much out of it. A googly on the pads, Rizwan is early to go down for the sweep and gets a bottom edge onto the pads. 77 needed now off 78 balls.

Flatter delivery, not all that full and outside off. Mohammad Rizwan lunges a long way to get inside the line and paddle it away but misses and gets struck on the grill of the helmet. A mandatory concussion check will now follow.

Tossed up, full and straight, Babar gets forward and punches it back past the bowler for one more.

Full and outside off, Rizwan sits down and drags the sweep down to deep backward square leg for one more.

Flatter again and on a length outside off, hit away on the up and through mid off for a single.

Flattens it up and bowls it around off, Babar leans forward to defend.

Hard length outside off, Rizwan waits back and punches it away to the left of deep point for a couple of more runs. 12 off the over!

Back of a length and wide of the off stump, Babar stays upright and slaps the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller in length and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan presses forward and strokes it away well wide of deep cover for three runs. Good running.

FOUR! Streaky from Rizwan but the 200 comes up for Pakistan here. On a good length and on off, Rizwan decides to step down the pitch and attack the ball but gets an inside edge past leg stump and the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

In the air but does land safely. A well-directed bumper, over off and middle, Babar looks to take it on but gets a top edge over the square leg region and picks up a single.

A full ball on leg stump, Rizwan tucks it down to fine leg for a single. He thinks about the second run but Babar sends him back.

Floats this one up, full and outside off, Babar lunges across and smothers it to short cover.

Nicely flighted and around off, this one dips. Rizwan plays it very late and off the inside half of the bat towards fine leg for one more.

Bowled flatter and short on off, Babar presses back and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up around off, it is the leg break and Babar just drives it straight to short cover.

Floated up outside off, Rizwan gets across and inside the line of the ball before paddling it down to fine leg for a single.

Tosses the ball very full and around off, Rizwan is late on it and gets an inside edge onto the back leg.

Shorter in length and over middle, Rizwan pulls it from around hips and towards deep square leg for a single.

Pitches the ball full and around off, Rizwan solidly blocks it to the short cover fielder.

Full and straight, angled into the pads, Rizwan looks to flick but miscus it towards mid on.

Hard length over middle, jagging back in. Rizwan tucks it down to short mid-wicket.

Short of a length and angled into the batter. Mohammad Rizwan tucks it off the hips and down to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

On a hard length over middle, Babar stands tall and swats it wide of mid on for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! Poor bowling from Chameera! Full again, pushing it into the batter but gets it down the leg side again. Rizwan misses the flick and the ball clips the pads, rolling away into the fine leg fence.

Wide! Full again, looking to attack the pads but this is spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Goes fuller and looks to slide one through the gate but Rizwan manages to clip it away to short mid-wicket.

On a hard length over off and middle, Rizwan covers the line well and blocks it off.

Kamindu Mendis gets a big hand on that one. Banged in short over off, Babar Azam gets in position and smack the pull to the right of mid-wicket where Mendis puts in the dive and deflects it behind to deep square leg for a single.

Hard length around the top of off, Babar hangs back and angles it down to short third.

Back of a length and around off, Babar Azam stands tall and sweetly punches it wide of deep covers for a couple of easy runs.

A bit slower and shorter, around off, Babar goes back in his crease and forces it through cover-point for a single. 107 needed now off 108 balls.

Length again and outside off, caressed on the up by Babar, hitting it wide of sweeper cover for a couple of more runs.

Full of a good length and outside off, Rizwan reaches for it and drives it through the point region for a single.

Fuller in length and in the channel outside off, Rizwan leans on and punches it towards cover.

Takes pace off and bowls it full at the stumps, Babar leans on and eases it down to long on for a run.

Short of a good length and on off, Babar Azam punches it from the crease and back into the turf. Janith Liyanage leaps up and gets a hand on it, deflecting it towards mid on.

Back of a length and around off, Rizwan hops back and taps it to the left of the backward point fielder.

OUT! CAUGHT! That is a blinder of a catch from Janith Liyanage and Dushmantha Chameera does get his man. This is bowled a bit short and around off. Fakhar Zaman picks the bones out of this one as he goes for the pull and hammers it flat to the left of short mid-wicket, where Liyanage plucks it out of thin air and everyone is just stunned. Zaman finally runs out of lives and departs for a crucial 78 off 93 deliveries.

DROPPED! A smart piece of bowling from Dushmantha Chameera but the substitute fielder makes a mess of it. Slower one, on a hard legth on middle and leg. Fakhar Zaman tries to replicate the shot from the previous delivery but miscues it down towards long leg. Pavan Rathnayake settles under the ball but ends up fumbling it. A third life for Fakhar!

SIX! Wow, what hang time on that shot! Hard length over middle, Fakhar Zaman stays leg side of the ball and swings across the line, whacking it a mile high and well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

A 38th ODI FIFTY for Babar Azam and it has come at a good time for his team as well. On a hard length and outside off, punched away square through the off side for a single. He will now look to anchor this chase all the way.

Babar has laced that cover drive but it's brilliantly fielded at covers. Length ball outside off, Babar Azam leans on and drives it just to the right of the cover fielder, who makes a fine stop.

FOUR! Fakhar manages to loft the fielder at mid on and adds four more to his tally. Tossed up on the pads, Fakhar Zaman smashes this up and over the mid on fielder for a boundary to close the over.

A shade quicker from Charith Asalanka, full and on middle and leg. Fakhar Zaman backs away to create a bit of room but gets cramped and blocks it out.

Fuller on middle and off, Babar Azam drives this through mid on for one.

Fuller and wide of off, Fakhar Zaman jumps down the track and smashes this to the right of mid on for one.

Pushed through on middle and off, Fakhar Zaman flicks this to the left of the bowler.

Tossed up on off, Fakhar Zaman pushes this to cover.

Good length around off, Fakhar Zaman guides this through point for one.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Fakhar Zaman and just like that Fakhar Zaman finds his rhythm again. Back of a length around the pads, Fakhar Zaman once again gets inside the line of it and flicks it towards the fine leg fence for four.

FOUR! A boundary after more than 5 overs. Short pitched, around leg, Fakhar Zaman steps inside the line of it and ramps this towards the fine leg region for a boundary.

Good length around off, Fakhar Zaman smashes this to cover for no run. Fakhar Zaman is getting frustrated here as he is finding the middle of his bat but the fielders as well.

Back of a length around off, Babar Azam punches this off his back foot for a single.

Good length around off, Babar Azam cuts this crisply to point.

Tossed up on the pads, Babar Azam drives this through cover for a single.

Fuller on off, Babar Azam blocks it well off the front foot.

Fuller on off, Babar Azam blocks it.

Wrong'un outside off, Fakhar Zaman looks to cut this away through point but gets an underedge that nutmegs the keeper for a single.

Fired into the batter, Fakhar Zaman steps out of the crease and blocks it back to the bowler.

Fuller on off, Babar Azam rolls it to long on for one.

Janith Liyanage hits the hard length, around the pads, Fakhar Zaman misses out on the flick and wears it high on the thigh pad.

Good length on the pads, Fakhar Zaman tucks this to short fine leg for no run.

Back of a length around off, Fakhar Zaman steps down and away and swings at it. Thumps it powerfully into the ground and towards cover for no run.

Good length around off, Fakhar Zaman drives this to mid off for no run.

On a length around off, Babar Azam drives this through cover for a single.

Good length on off, Babar Azam blocks it around the bowler's right.

Fuller on middle and leg, Babar Azam flicks this through mid-wicket for another single.

Quicker one, on off, Fakhar Zaman works this through square leg for one.

Leggie around middle and off, Babar Azam pushes this through cover and rotates.

Fuller around middle and off, Babar Azam pushes this towards cover for a dot.

Tossed up on off, Babar blocks it.

SENSATIONAL! An outstanding effort in the field from Kamindu Mendis saved 5 runs for his side. Tossed up, around middle and off, Fakhar Zaman goes down on his knees and slogs this, aiming for the stands. Fakhar Zaman fails to get right underneath itbut had still got enough to take it over the ropes. Kamindu Mendis, at deep mid-wicket fence, had another idea though. Kamindu times his jump to perfection and puts in a brilliant effort to catch this with his body momentum taking him over the fence but having the presence of mind to throw the ball in the playing area before stepping onto the bondary cushions.

Good length around the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this through square leg to take a single. Fakhar will keep strike at the start of the next over.

Good length on middle and off, Babar Azam pushes this to off the inside towards dep on leg for one.

Back of a length on off, Babar Azam cuts this to point.

Good length on the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this in the gap for one.

Another slower one, on a good length around the pads. Fakhar Zaman swings a bit early and toe-pokes it to mid-wicket.

Slower one, on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman pushes this back to the bowler.

Tossed up around off, Fakhar Zaman smashes this down to long on for one.

Fuller on the pads, Fakhar Zaman rills this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on middle and off, Babar Azam punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Tossed up on the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this through square leg for a single.

Half-a-chance goes begging. Fuller on the pads, Babar Azam flicks this away to the left of Janith Liyanage at mid-wicket. Janith gets a bit of hand to it as he dives full-stretch to his left. A single taken.

FOUR! SLogged away for four. Short of a length around off, Babar Azam goes deep insdie the crease and slogs it with the top hand off the handle for a boundary between deep mid-wicket and wide long on for four.

Clever from Janith Liyanage to take the pace off on this one as he sees Fakhar Zaman stepping down the track. FZ ends up tucking it to square leg for no run.

On a length around the pads, Babar Azam flicks this through square leg for a single.

Good length wide of off, Babar Azam thumps this intot he surface and towards cover for no run.

Good length on off, Fakhar Zaman punches this through cover for one.

Janith goes full and on the pads, Babar Azam drills this to long on for a single.

WIDE! On a length, wide fown the leg. Babar Azam misses out on the flick. Wided.

Good length on the pads, Babar Azam blocks this to mid-wicket.

Short and wide of off, Babar Azam cuts this crisply to sweeper cover for a single.

Good length on off, Babar Azam gets right on top of it and blocks.

On a length around off, Babar Azam prods in front and blocks this around cover.

FIFTY FOR FAKHAR! Good length on the pads, Fakhar Zaman works this in the gap through mid-wicket for a single to bring up his half-century.

On a length around the pads, Fakhar Zaman thumps this straight to the fielder.

Good length on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman punches this firmly towards mid-wicket.

Fuller on off, Babar Azam drives this crisply to mid off for a dot.

Fired full and on middle and off, Fakhar Zaman flicks thisto deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and wide of off, Fakhar Zaman goes onto his back foot and slaps this to the left of Pathum Nissanka at sweeper cover for a couple.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Babar Azam punches this through mid off for a single.

Fired into the batter, Fakhar Zaman works this in the gap towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on off, Fakhar Zaman punches this to cover.

On a hard length and outside off, Babar Azam gets across a touch and taps it down in front of covers.

Dug in short again and around off, Zaman hangs back to pull and gets it towards deep square leg for just one more.

Banged in a bit short and over middle, Babar just tucks it down to the right of deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Goes fuller now and bowls it outside off, Babar plays it with soft hands and down to backward point.

FOUR! Crunched! Just short of a length and outside off, Babar Azam stands tall and punches it hard into the ground and gets it through the big gap at covers for a boundary.

A misfield in the deep and Babar Azam will come back for the second run with ease. Back of a length and outside off, tapped down to the left of deep third for a brace.

Fractionally short and outside off, Zaman rocks back and cuts it to the right of the deep point fielder and races back for the second run.

Floated up on leg stump, Babar Azam comes down the pitch and punches it along the turf to wide long on for just on more.

Tossed up, full and on off, driven past the diving bowler and down to long off for a single.

Slows it up a bit and slides it outside off, Zaman backs away and plays it off the face of the blade to short third.

Flatter again and around the pads, tucked away from inside the crease and behind square leg for a single by Azam.

Starts the new spell from around the stumps and fires in a full one on leg stump. Babar Azam keeps it out.

Back of a length and outside off, Babar gets up on his toes and hammers it down to deep cover for another single. After 18 overs, Pakistan are Nelson for 1!

Another bumper, this time over leg stump and hurrying the batter. Zaman stands tall and angles the pull down to deep backward square leg for just another single. Fakhar has slowed down quite a bit after that early burst.

Good, early call from Babar for the single. Hard length on off, tapped gently in front of mid on for a run.

Short of a length around the bodyline, Zaman hits it away through the mid-wicket region for a run.

A bumper now, in and around off stump and at head height. Fakhar Zaman looks to pull but misses.

Just back of a length and around off, punched off the back foot and through the cover region for a single.

Flatter trajectory this time, targeting the stumps again and again, Zaman blocks it out. After the over, Wanindu Hasaranga is seen going off the field, probably with another hamstring issue. He was seen walking gingerly earlier in the innings as well.

Tossed up at the stumps, straighter in line and Zaman shows the full face of the blade to defend it out.

Slows it up a touch and bowls it fuller on off stump, Zaman makes another block.

Floated up on middle and leg, Fakhar leans on and makes the block.

Dragged length, straighter at the stumps, worked off the back foot and past square leg for one more.

Should have been put away. A juicy full toss on the pads and all Fakhar Zaman does is flick it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length over off, tails back in a touch, Babar plays it late and dabs it down in front of point.

Wide! An attempted bumper over middle, gets the line right but it is a tad too high for the umpire's liking and a wide is caalled.

Hard length at the stumps, Azam punches it down to mid on and looks for a single but quickly ecides against it.

Madushan induces another false stroke from Babar but again, the batter gets away with it. Hard length on off, Azam leans into the drive but the ball stops on him and he ends up lobbing it over the cover region for a couple of runs.

Back of a length and around off, Babar isn't sure whether to leave it or play at it and ends up fending it off.

FOUR! Glorious from Babar and the 100 also comes up for Pakistan. Full and straight, looking for swing that isn't there. Azam prods halfway and just punches it straight back pst the bowler for a boundary at long on.

Short ball over off and middle, no real effort on it, Zaman stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Excellent work in the deep from Pathum Nissanka. A freebie from Wanindu, full and on the pads, clipped away firmly by Babar Azam towards deep mid-wicket. Nissanka runs to his right across the ropes and puts in a dive to save two runs for his side.

Oh, an inside edge! The leg break, tossed up on off stump, gets a bit of dip as well. Babar Azam looks to drive but the ball turns and takes the inside edge before hitting the pads.

Floated up outside off, Babar reaches out and strokes it towards cover.

Around the wicket now to the left-hander, boling it full and around off, Zaman clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up again, very full and straight, Zaman takes the front leg out to go over mid off but can't quite get under it.

Gives it a nice loop and tosses it full on middle, Azam leans on and drives it down to long on for a single.

The call is for two and they get it with ease. Back of a length on off, Zaman hangs back and sort-arms jabs it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Short of a good length, angled into the batter, Azam nudges it down and gets it behind square leg for another easy single.

Full and at the stumps, a hint of away movement as well. Babar taps it across to mid-wicket.

Hard length around leg, tucked down to deep mid-wicket for one more by Fakhar.

Full and wide outside off, driven firmly and through cover-point for a single.

Oh, nearly a caught and bowled but Babar Azam gets away with it. Hard length around off, Babar looks to drive on the up but gets it off the toe end of the bat and luckily for him, the ball goes over the outstretched right hand of the bowler and down to long off for a couple of runs.

Just marginally short on off, Babar Azam rocks back and forces it down to long on for a single.

Nagging length around off, pushed into the off side. Five dots in a row now.

Flatter one, fired in towards the middle stump, Azam plays it back to the bowler.

Bowls a leg break and gets it to turn as well. On a length and on off, turns away quite a bit but Babar manages to tap it into the off side.

Nice and full, straighter as well, Babar Azam watchfully defends.

Begins with a flatter one, pushing it through onto the off stump, Babar hangs back to jam it out.

Flush on the helmet! Dushmantha Chameera brings out another bumper and gets it spot-on as well. Banged in over middle and around head height, Fakhar Zaman looks to pull but is beaten and gets a blow to the side of the helmet. Thankfully, Zaman looks fine but the physio will come out to perform a mandatory concussion check. Also, the helmet will be changed as well as per protocol.

On a hard length and outside off, seams away a touch. Babar Azam hangs back and angles it down to deep third for one run.

Back of a length and in the channel outside off, Babar gets up on his toes and pushes it down towards the cover fielder.

Hard length around the top of off, Babar stays put and punches it back to the bowler.

In the air but will land safely. A well-directed short ball, over leg stump. Fakhar Zaman looks to pull but gets hurried and miscues it over backward square leg for one more.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Azam stands tall and punches it towards cover for a single.

Dragged length, on middle and leg, tucked away behind square leg for a single.

Pushed through quidker and angled into the batter, Zaman pulls it off the back foot through square leg for a run.

Flighted delivery, a bit full and outside off, Zaman blocks it off.

Drops the length short and around off, Babar comes forward and pushes it back past the bowler to long on for one more.

Tosses the ball up on off, very full as well, and Zaman strokes it down to long off for a single.

Slows it right up and floats it around off and middle, Zaman blocks it off.

On a length around off, Babar Azam blocks it out.

Back of a length on off, Babar Azam punches this to point.

OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, Sri Lanka hold on to a chance and see the back of Saim Ayub. On a length, around off, angling away from the batter. Saim Ayub looks to loft this over the fielder at mid off but his bat tilts at the time of contact with the ball and the ball hangs over Charith Asalanka at mid off. Charith does not make any mistake and holds onto this dolly. Saim Ayub departs after scoring 33.

Good length, going across the batter. Saim Ayub tentatively pokes at it but gets beaten on the outside.

Short pitched on the pads, Fakhar Zaman hits this away towards deep backward square leg for one.

Short and wide of off, Fakhar Zaman goes for the pull but misses out.

Floated on off, Saim Ayub defends well.

DROPPED AGAIN! Fakhar Zaman gets another life at 28 as Janith Liyanage this time drops him at long off. Fuller, on off, Fakhar Zaman jumps down the track and looks to slog this out of the park. His bat tilts in his hands as he looks to hit it far and the ball slices to the right of Janith Liyanage at long off. Janith does the har dbit by covering the ground but ends up dropping it at the end.

Fuller on off, Fakhar Zaman blocks it out.

LEG BYE! Floated down the leg, Saim Ayub goes down on a knee and looks to sweep but gets it deflected off his pads to short fine leg for one.

Quicker one, on the pads. Saim Ayub blocks this to the left of the bowler.

Fuller on the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this through mid-wicket for one.

A bit too full this time, on the pads. Fakhar Zaman flicks this through square leg for a single.

On a length around off, Saim Ayub goes deep inside the crease and guides this to third man region for one.

Short pitched on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman pulls t to deep square leg for one.

Good length on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman tucks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Back of a length wide of off, Fakhar Zaman fetches this from outside off and pulls this flat and hard through the mid-wicket region for a boundary more.

Good length wide of off, Saim Ayub opens his bat face and guides this to deep third for one.

Floated on the pads, Saim Ayub works this away for one.

DROPPED! Fakhar gets a lifeline on 20 as Asitha Fernando drops a sitter. Tossed up around off, Fakhar Zaman steps down the track and looks to clear the fielder at long off but fails to get enough behind it. Hits this straight to Asitha Fernando at long off but he drops it.

Fired around off, Fakhar Zaman blocks this back to the bowler.

Quicker one, on the pads. Saim Ayub rolls this to long on for one.

FOUR! Boundaries galore. Floated around off, Saim Ayub jumps down the track and smashes this all along the ground through the gap between mid off and extra cover for four runs.

FOUR! Saim is sighting this white leather as big as a watermelon here. Short and wide of off, Saim Ayub backs away and cuts this through the point region for a boundary.

Good length on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman blocks it out.

FOUR! Unlucky for the bowler. On a length around off, Fakhar Zaman gives it a mighty heave but gets an inside edge that goes past the leg pole and off the fence at the fine leg region for a boundary. Pakistan have raced to 54.

On a length around off, Fakhar Zaman punches this to short cover.

WIDE! 50 comes up for Pakistan as Dushmantha Chameera bowls a wide down the leg. Wided.

Good length on off, Fakhar Zaman pushes this to mid off.

This was there to be flicked away as well but Fakhar Zaman misses out as Dushmantha Chameera bowls it with raw pace.

On a length around off, Fakhar Zaman blocks it back to the bowler.

Good length on middle and leg, Saim Ayub pushes this straight to the fielder.

FOUR! Cut away for yet another boundary. Back of a length around off, Saim Ayub steps down the track, slashes hard at it and cuts it over the fielder at point for a boundary.

FOUR! Boundaries are coming thick and fast for Pakistan. Back of a length on middle and leg, cramping Saim for any sort of room but quick hands from Ayub helps him to pull this through mid-wicket for a boundary here.

Good length on off, Saim Ayub blocks this to cover.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Pitched up, around middle and leg, Saim Ayub clears his front foot from the line of it and slogs this deep into the crowd towards the deep square leg region for a huge six.

NO BALL! From bad to worse. Beamer, around leg. Fakhar Zaman gets it away towards short fine leg for a single. The umpire calls for a no-ball straightaway and also gives a warning to the bowler for a dangerous beamer. Another one of such from Asitha Fernando will see the end of him bowling in this contest again.

Asitha hits the hard length on off, Fakhar Zaman thumps this to mid off.

Good length on middle and off, Fakhar Zaman works this through mid on for one.

Back of a length on off, Fakhar Zaman punches this to mid off for no run.

Good length on the pads, Saim Ayub flicks this through square leg and rotates.

Good length on off, Saim Ayub blocks this to mid off.

FOUR! Driven away for a boundary. Pitched up around middle and off, Saim Ayub strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this through the cover region for yet another boundary. Pakistan has raced to 31 in no time.

On a length, going across the batter. Saim Ayub looks to slog this over mid on but gets beaten on the outside.

Asitha hits the hard length on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman thumps this back tot he bowler.

Good length around off, Fakhar Zaman blocks this one.

FOUR! Finding the gaps with ease. Back of a length around middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman hops up on his toes and helps this in the gap behind square for a boundary more.

Good length on off, Fakhar Zaman blocks.

FOUR! SMASHED AWAY! On a length, around middle and off, Fakhar Zaman stays leg side to it and slogs this wide to the fielder at mid-wicket for a boundary. Pakistan are off to a solid start in this massive chase.

Short pitched around the ribs, Fakhar Zaman dabs this to short fine leg.

On a length around off, Saim Ayub blocks.

FIVE WIDES! OH DEAR ME! Pramod Madushan is completely off the radar here and for the second time, he has given a boundary down the leg. On a length down the leg, swinging down the leg. Saim Ayub leaves it and the keeper fails to gather this behind the stumps as well. The ball goes tothe fence towards fine leg.

Good length on middle and leg, Saim Ayub defends this out.

On a length around the pads, Fakhar Zaman flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Good length on the pads, Fakhar Zaman blocks this to mid-wicket.

FIVE WIDES! Plenty of swing but completely down the wrong line. On a length wide down the leg, Fakhar Zaman goes for the flick but misses out. The ball even beats the keeper, diving to his right and the ball has raced to the fence for a boundary.

Good length, wide of off, Saim Ayub guides this to deep third for one.

Good length on middle and leg, Saim Ayub blocks this out.

WIDE! Even Pramod is bowling down the wrong line. Pitched up on the pads, swinging down the leg. Saim Ayub shadows the flick. Wided.

Asitha almost had the number of Fakhar Zaman here. Straight one, going across the batter. Fakhar Zaman plays for the one swinging back into him. Gets beaten all ends up but luckily for Zaman the ball goes past his off-stump.

FOUR! First boundary of the run chase. Pitched up in the pads, gouing down the leg once again. Fakhar Zaman leans onto it and flicks it over the fielder at square leg for a boundary.

On a length down the leg again, Fakhar Zaman gets it brushed off the pads to the right of the keeper for no run.

On a length swinging into the batter. Fakhar Zaman goes for the flick and misses out.

Good length, onto the pads, swinging down the leg. Saim Ayub gets inside the line of it and flicks it to fine leg for a single as well. Both the openers are off the hook now.

A bit of swing straightaway from Asitha Fernando but he errs in line as he bowls this fuller one, down the leg. Fakhar Zaman glances this to fine leg for a single to open his account.