Salman Agha led a commanding display for Pakistan in their tri-series opening match on Sunday, October 18, in Rawalpindi. His brilliant century proved the difference in a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka. Despite a sluggish finish with the bat that saw the hosts lose their final five wickets for just 37 runs in the last six overs, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 305 all out in 49.5 overs. Agha’s dismissal at long-on ended his authoritative knock of 107, yet the total remained formidable enough to keep the visitors at bay. Despite their poor finish with the bat, Pakistan managed to go past 300 on the back of Agha’s ton. The hosts managed to add only 37 runs while losing their last five wickets including that of centurion Agha who failed to clear the man at long on, in the final six overs. Pakistan didn’t get off to the greatest of starts after being asked to bat first. The two batters continued to bat in positive fashion with Baig in particular dealing in sixes.
Pakistan’s batting innings began with early setbacks as Dilshan Madushanka claimed both openers within the initial six overs. Babar Azam and Saad Baig rebuilt the momentum with an aggressive partnership, targeting boundaries until Eshan Malinga returned to shift the tide. Malinga accounted for Babar, who departed for 45, and shortly after dismissed Baig with a sharp bouncer. Agha then stabilized the innings alongside Hasan Nawaz, with the duo accelerating the scoring until Nawaz fell for a valuable contribution. Although Arafat Minhas’s exit triggered a late-innings collapse, Eshan Malinga’s 4-46 ensured Sri Lanka remained in the hunt for the 306-run target. 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.
Sri Lanka’s pursuit began poorly, stumbling to 91/4 by the 20th over. Avishka Fernando fell early, and Kusal Mendis struggled to find his rhythm before Faheem Ashraf ended his 31-ball stay for 13 runs. The pressure mounted further as Shaheen Afridi dismantled the top order with two quick strikes. However, a defiant century partnership between Pavan Rathnayake, who scored 79, and Janith Liyanage, who contributed 60, momentarily revived the visitors’ hopes as they successfully navigated the middle overs. 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 momentum shifted back in Pakistan’s favor when Rathnayake holed out to cover, offering the hosts a vital opening. Although Dasun Shanaka attempted to accelerate the chase with a few boundaries, Haris Rauf removed Liyanage to tighten the screws. Facing mounting pressure, Sri Lanka’s lower order faltered against the host’s bowling attack. Captain Shaheen Afridi, who finished with figures of 3-55, opted to bowl his final overs early to secure the crucial wicket of Shanaka. This maneuver effectively neutralized the opposition, as Naseem Shah, who ended with 2-43, and Rauf efficiently cleaned up the remaining wickets.
Sri Lanka was eventually bundled out for 268 in 48.1 overs, handing Pakistan a solid start to the tournament. The match showcased both the resilience of the home side’s middle order and a disciplined bowling performance that held firm under sustained pressure from a partnership that once threatened to shift the result.
