The tri-series opener at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday ended in a 37-run victory for Pakistan, who defended 305 after a century from Salman Ali Agha and then watched Sri Lanka surrender a promising chase through two reckless shots. The result gives the hosts a winning start to the tri-nation One-day International series, which runs from October 18 to 31.
Salman Ali Agha Anchors Pakistan’s Innings
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl. Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi said that wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig would make his ODI debut and that the side aimed to score around 300. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were both dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka, leaving Babar Azam and Baig to steady the innings with a 74-run stand for the third wicket.
Eshan Malinga broke that partnership by bouncing out Babar for 45 and then dismissing Baig for 39, which brought Salman Ali Agha together with Hasan Nawaz. The pair added 97 for the fifth wicket. Salman built his innings gradually, reaching his half-century in the 35th over while rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries, and Hasan supplied acceleration with two sixes off Sachindu Colombage. Salman then took charge, reaching three figures in the 45th over for his third ODI century.
He finished with 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six. The innings also marked his return to the Pakistan side after he was dropped from the Test team two months ago. He was dismissed at 279 for 6, caught by Dasun Shanaka at long-on after mistiming a lofted shot.
A Late Sri Lankan Fightback
Sri Lanka then pulled the innings back. Their bowlers conceded only 36 runs while taking five wickets in the last five overs, with Malinga completing figures of 4 for 46 after also removing Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah. Accurate yorkers kept the lower order in check, and Haris Rauf was run out without scoring in the final over. Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs, a total that appeared modest by the end given how well they had been placed.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Gathers Momentum
The early part of the reply favoured Pakistan. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah reduced Sri Lanka to 91 for 4, but as dew made the outfield slick, Pakistan’s pacers were deprived of the chance to extract reverse swing from the old ball. Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage exploited the conditions, adding 119 for the fifth wicket. Rathnayake reached his maiden ODI half-century and had faced 74 balls when Faheem Ashraf finally ended the partnership in the 38th over.
The wicket did little to ease Pakistan’s anxiety. Shanaka attacked immediately, striking Arafat Minhas over square leg for six, while Liyanage reached his own fifty with a fierce drive down the ground. With 82 needed from the final 10 overs, Sri Lanka had a genuine chance of completing the chase.
Why the Tri-Series Opener Turned Within Four Balls
The contest changed through two dismissals in quick succession. Liyanage, who had looked composed throughout, chipped Haris Rauf to Babar Azam at long-on. Shanaka, who had threatened to take the game away, then heaved Shaheen Afridi to the same fielder in the same position. In the space of four balls, the chase unravelled.
Naseem Shah had Colombage caught behind, Malinga was run out after a mix-up, and Haris Rauf bowled Asitha Fernando to complete the win. Salman’s century had given Pakistan the platform and Malinga’s late burst had kept the total within reach, but it was Sri Lanka’s two costly shots that ultimately decided the tri-series opener.
Fixtures Ahead
Pakistan face England at the same venue on October 20. Sri Lanka play England in Rawalpindi on October 22, after which the tournament moves to Lahore. Pakistan meet England at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 25 and Sri Lanka at the same ground on October 27, with Sri Lanka and England contesting the final group fixture on October 29. The top two teams will reach the final, to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
Pakistan entered the series after winning their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 2-1 under Sahibzada Farhan. The ODI result suggests that the hosts’ middle order can compensate for an unproductive start from the openers, although Sunday’s win also showed how narrow the margin can become when the ball stops gripping under the dew.
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