Babar Azam continues record-breaking ODI form to consolidate top spot in rankings

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is the top-ranked batsman in ODI cricket. And he showed why by steering his team to a morale-boosting 2-1 series win over Australia in Lahore on Saturday.

Azam scored a second successive century, while opener Imam-ul-Haq hit a fifty, as Pakistan secured their first series win over Australia since 2002 following a nine-wicket victory in the third and final match at the Gaddafi Stadium .

The hosts dismissed Australia for 210 as their fast bowlers broke the visitors' back, taking eight wickets. They then chased down the below-par target in just 37.5 overs and losing just one wicket.

Azam was dropped by Travis Head off Jason Behrendorff on one and took full advantage of the let-off as he completed his 16th ODI hundred from 110 balls.

The star batsman Azam had scored 114 in the second game to level the series after the home team had lost the opener.

"When you lose the first game then your players need confidence and once they were given that, they came back strongly and did well," said Azam.

Babar disrupting length