NEW DELHI: Pakistan rode on a fighting unbeaten century from Salman Agha and a four-wicket burst by Haris Rauf to clinch a six-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening ODI on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Agha’s fluent 105 not out off 87 balls powered Pakistan to 299/5, before Rauf’s 4/61 helped restrict Sri Lanka to 293/9 in a tense finish.
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The match was played under tight security after a suicide attack earlier in the day in nearby Islamabad, which claimed at least 12 lives. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that security around the Sri Lankan team was further strengthened following the incident.
Put in to bat, Pakistan were struggling at 95/4 before Agha and Hussain Talat (62) staged a brilliant recovery with a 138-run fifth-wicket partnership. Talat’s maiden ODI fifty featured one six and six fours, while Agha’s knock included nine boundaries, steering the hosts to a strong finish alongside Mohammad Nawaz (36 off 23)* — the duo adding 104 runs in the last 10 overs.
Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga (3/54) had rattled Pakistan’s top order, removing Fakhar Zaman (32), Babar Azam (29) and Mohammad Rizwan (5) in a fiery spell. Asitha Fernando struck early, trapping Saim Ayub for six.
In reply, Sri Lanka made a solid start through Kamil Mishara (38) and Pathum Nissanka (29), who shared an 85-run opening stand. But Rauf turned the game with a decisive spell, dismissing both openers and Kusal Mendis (0) in quick succession.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Charith Asalanka (32) revived the chase briefly, but Rauf’s fourth wicket — Samarawickrama, brilliantly caught by Babar Azam at slip — tilted momentum back to Pakistan.
Down to 210/7, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on Hasaranga, who fought valiantly with a 52-ball 59 featuring seven fours. His late charge brought the target down to 21 off eight balls before he holed out, ending the visitors’ resistance. Janith Liyanage contributed 28 with two sixes and as many fours.
Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi hailed his side’s fightback:
“Agha and Talat batted really well to take us to 299. A target of 300 was good, and Haris gave us crucial breakthroughs,” said Shaheen.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka admitted his bowlers leaked runs at key moments:
“The way Agha and Talat batted took the game away. We gave away too many runs — it should have been under 270,” he said.
The remaining ODIs will also be played in Rawalpindi, on Thursday and Saturday.
Agha’s fluent 105 not out off 87 balls powered Pakistan to 299/5, before Rauf’s 4/61 helped restrict Sri Lanka to 293/9 in a tense finish.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The match was played under tight security after a suicide attack earlier in the day in nearby Islamabad, which claimed at least 12 lives. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that security around the Sri Lankan team was further strengthened following the incident.
Put in to bat, Pakistan were struggling at 95/4 before Agha and Hussain Talat (62) staged a brilliant recovery with a 138-run fifth-wicket partnership. Talat’s maiden ODI fifty featured one six and six fours, while Agha’s knock included nine boundaries, steering the hosts to a strong finish alongside Mohammad Nawaz (36 off 23)* — the duo adding 104 runs in the last 10 overs.
Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga (3/54) had rattled Pakistan’s top order, removing Fakhar Zaman (32), Babar Azam (29) and Mohammad Rizwan (5) in a fiery spell. Asitha Fernando struck early, trapping Saim Ayub for six.
In reply, Sri Lanka made a solid start through Kamil Mishara (38) and Pathum Nissanka (29), who shared an 85-run opening stand. But Rauf turned the game with a decisive spell, dismissing both openers and Kusal Mendis (0) in quick succession.
Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Charith Asalanka (32) revived the chase briefly, but Rauf’s fourth wicket — Samarawickrama, brilliantly caught by Babar Azam at slip — tilted momentum back to Pakistan.
Down to 210/7, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on Hasaranga, who fought valiantly with a 52-ball 59 featuring seven fours. His late charge brought the target down to 21 off eight balls before he holed out, ending the visitors’ resistance. Janith Liyanage contributed 28 with two sixes and as many fours.
Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi hailed his side’s fightback:
“Agha and Talat batted really well to take us to 299. A target of 300 was good, and Haris gave us crucial breakthroughs,” said Shaheen.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka admitted his bowlers leaked runs at key moments:
“The way Agha and Talat batted took the game away. We gave away too many runs — it should have been under 270,” he said.
The remaining ODIs will also be played in Rawalpindi, on Thursday and Saturday.
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