Salman Agha hits 107 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in tri-series opener

RAWALPINDI: Salman Ali Agha’s fourth ODI century helped Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the tri-nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, October 18. Pakistan made 305 before dismissing the visitors for 268 in 48.1 overs, securing victory with 11 deliveries remaining.

Salman scored 107 from 90 balls and received the player-of-the-match award. His innings gave Pakistan a competitive total after Sri Lanka’s bowlers had repeatedly interrupted the hosts’ progress. A 97-run fifth-wicket partnership with Hasan Nawaz was central to the recovery, allowing Pakistan to rebuild after losing both Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig. Hasan contributed 37 before Sri Lanka broke the stand.

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis had chosen to field, and Dilshan Madushanka justified that decision by removing openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub early. Babar and Saad then added 74 for the third wicket. Babar’s 45 included another career milestone as he passed 16,000 international runs, while wicketkeeper-batter Saad began his ODI career with 39 from 40 deliveries. Eshan Malinga dismissed both to restore pressure on Pakistan.

The visitors also finished Pakistan’s innings strongly. Salman reached his hundred from 82 balls before eventually falling to Asitha Fernando, and Pakistan managed only 26 runs while losing four wickets in the final five overs. Malinga returned figures of four for 46, while Fernando took three for 59. Pakistan were bowled out with one delivery of their allotted innings unused.

Pakistan’s bowlers initially put Sri Lanka under similar pressure, reducing them to 91 for four. Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage then changed the direction of the chase with a 119-run fifth-wicket partnership. Rathnayake scored 79 and Liyanage made 60, giving Sri Lanka a route back into contention after the early setbacks. Their stand forced Pakistan to find further breakthroughs rather than rely on the advantage established with the new ball.

Faheem Ashraf removed Rathnayake to break the partnership, and Sri Lanka’s lower order subsequently collapsed. Pakistan claimed the final five wickets for 15 runs to close out the match. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with three for 55, leading the attack as the hosts successfully defended their total despite the substantial middle-order resistance.

Pakistan next face England on Tuesday, October 20, while Sri Lanka meet England on October 22 before the competition moves to Lahore. The opening result gives Pakistan a winning start, with Salman’s recovery innings and the late bowling response providing the decisive contributions.