RAWALPINDI: Salman Ali Agha delivered a commanding unbeaten century, while Hussain Talat contributed a valuable 62, as Pakistan set a competitive total of 299 runs for Sri Lanka in the opening match of their ODI series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 300, Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept Pakistan in check early on, but the hosts’ middle-order fightback turned the tide. Pakistan struggled initially, with Saim Ayub (6 off 14) falling early to Asitha Fernando, leaving the team at 14-1. Captain Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman attempted to stabilize the innings; however, scoring remained challenging, and Pakistan reached 28-1 after the first powerplay.
The momentum shifted when Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s premier spinner, struck twice, dismissing Fakhar for 32 and then removing Rizwan (5) and Babar (29) in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 95-4 in the 24th over. Despite this, Agha and Talat steadied the innings, with Agha’s unbeaten century ensuring Pakistan posted a formidable total.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was led by Hasaranga, who claimed three crucial wickets, while Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana also contributed with key breakthroughs.The series is set to be followed by a tri-nation tournament involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe starting in November. The two teams last met in a bilateral ODI series in 2019, with Pakistan emerging victorious in both matches.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (w), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando.
