DUBAI: Babar Azam scored an impressive hundred while Shoaib Malik smashed a quick-fire half century to help Pakistan thump Sri Lanka by 83 runs in the first one-day international on Friday.

Azam compiled a well-made 103 from 131 deliveries, while Malik’s 81 came off only 61 balls in Pakistan’s total of 292-6, before pacemen Hasan Ali (3-36) and Rumman Raees (3-49) restricted Sri Lanka to 209-8 from their 50 overs.

The victory was a good response by Pakistan after losing the preceding two-match Test series 2-0. This was their first ODI since winning the Champions Trophy in England four months ago.

Lahiru Thirimanne was the only Sri Lankan top-order batsman who played with any authority for his 53 as Pakistan took regular wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Akila Dananjaya (50 not out) and Jeffrey Vandersay (25) delayed the result as they took Sri Lanka from 132-7 to 200-8 during their 68-run eighth-wicket stand, but it was too little, too late.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2017