Pakistan kicked off their ODI tri-series campaign with a decisive 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 18. The hosts were powered to a competitive total of 305 by a brilliant 107-run performance from Salman Agha, whose century proved the decisive factor despite a late collapse. A total of 305 appeared to be more than good enough for the home side as Sri Lanka stuttered in the run chase, despite that poor finish.
The innings saw an early wobble when Dilshan Madushanka claimed both openers inside the first six overs. Babar Azam and Saad Baig attempted to steady the ship, but both fell to Eshan Malinga, who finished with impressive figures of 4-46. Agha then anchored the middle order alongside Hasan Nawaz, helping the team cross the 300-run mark. However, Pakistan’s batting momentum vanished in the final six overs; they lost five wickets for just 37 runs, with Agha eventually falling while trying to clear long-on. Despite their poor finish with the bat, Pakistan managed to go past 300 on the back of Agha’s ton. Pakistan didn’t get off to the greatest of starts after being asked to bat first. Fakhar Zaman cashed in on a free-hit to hammer a six early in his innings and went on to add a couple of boundaries as well. Malinga struck in his next over as well with another short-ball accounting for the other well-set batter Baig who got a top edge. The boundaries started flowing again after the duo gained confidence. Even though Agha turned on the heat in the slog overs, Arafat Minhas’s dismissal completely derailed Pakistan. That meant the onus was on Shanaka to get the job done alongside the Sri Lankan lower order.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit began shakily, with Avishka Fernando departing early after a top-edged shot. Kusal Mendis struggled for rhythm, managing only 13 runs from 31 deliveries before Faheem Ashraf dismissed him. By the conclusion of the 20th over, the visitors were reeling at 91/4, facing a daunting task to revive their chase.
The tide briefly turned when Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage combined for a vital century partnership. Rathnayake displayed aggression, hitting Shaheen Afridi for successive sixes following the second drinks break, but the partnership was broken when he was caught at cover. Liyanage contributed 60 runs before Haris Rauf removed him, shifting the pressure back onto the remaining batters. In reply, Sri Lanka recovered from their wobbly start and put themselves in contention to hunt down 306 following a century stand between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage. The two batters continued to bat in positive fashion with Baig in particular dealing in sixes. Rathnayake made a nervy start as he was beaten on numerous occasions at the start of his innings.
Dasun Shanaka attempted to accelerate the chase with a few boundaries, but Shaheen Afridi returned to bowl the decisive spell, removing the captain and effectively ending Sri Lanka’s hopes. The tail offered little resistance, with Naseem Shah and Rauf cleaning up the remainder to bowl Sri Lanka out for 268 in 48.1 overs. Afridi concluded the match with 3-55, while Naseem Shah provided tight support with 2-43. Brief scores: Pakistan 305 in 49.5 overs (Salman Agha 107, Babar Azam 45; Eshan Malinga 4-46) beat Sri Lanka 268 in 48.1 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 79, Janith Liyanage 60; Shaheen Afridi 3-55, Naseem Shah 2-43) by 37 runs. Rathnayake and Liyanage provided exactly that as they kept finding the boundary regularly to help Sri Lanka crawl back into the contest. Effectively sealing the game for his side, afridi opted to bowl himself out immediately in order to go for the kill and that ploy paid dividends as the skipper bagged the big wicket of Shanaka.
