Ton-up Babar Azam anchors Pakistan's series win

SHARJAH: Fast-rising Babar Azam cracked a second successive hundred to guide Pakistan to a dominant 59-run win over the West Indies in the second one-day international in Sharjah, gaining an unbeatable 2-0 lead in three-match series.

Azam's brilliant 126-ball 123 formed the cornerstone of Pakistan's imposing 337-5 which also featured half-centuries from Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed.

West Indies finished on 278-7 from their 50 overs with Darren Bravo hitting 61 and Marlon Samuels scoring 57.

The final match will be in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

“It was a wonderful team effort,” said Pakistan captain Azhar Ali.

“We needed a good partnership after losing two early wickets and Azam and Malik gave that to us with pace and wisdom.” West Indian captain Jason Holder rued his team's bad bowling.