Salman Agha marked his return to international cricket with a brilliant century as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the one-day tri-series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
The 32-year-old scored 107 off 90 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six to guide Pakistan to 305 in 49.5 overs. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi then led the bowling attack with three wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Pakistan will face England in the second match of the series on Tuesday, also in Rawalpindi. The tri-series serves as preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.
Sri Lanka Fight Back Through Rathnayake and Liyanage
Sri Lanka remained in contention during their chase thanks to an impressive partnership between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage.
Rathnayake scored 79, including two sixes and six boundaries, while Liyanage contributed 60 with five fours. The pair added 119 runs for the fifth wicket, giving Sri Lanka hope of chasing down the target.
Earlier, opener Kamindu Mendis provided a positive start with 44 runs.
However, Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed after Rathnayake and Liyanage were dismissed. Dasun Shanaka scored 28, but the visitors lost their final five wickets for just 15 runs, ending their innings at 268.
Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan Bowlers Seal the Win
Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with figures of 3-55, playing a key role in restricting Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
Fast bowlers Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets each to support the captain and ensure Pakistan secured a comfortable victory.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling performance proved decisive after Sri Lanka had threatened to challenge the target through their fifth-wicket partnership.
Agha Returns to Form With a Match-Winning Century
Agha’s century was particularly significant after a difficult three-month period. He had been sent home before the third Test against England in August after captaining Pakistan in the opening match of the series.
In Rawalpindi, he showed patience and attacking intent to record his fourth one-day international century. He reached the milestone with two consecutive boundaries off pacer Asitha Fernando before eventually falling to the same bowler in the 47th over.
Agha built crucial partnerships to stabilise Pakistan’s innings, adding 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz, who scored 37. He later shared another 64-run stand for the sixth wicket with Arafat Minhas, who contributed 18.
His innings provided the foundation for Pakistan’s competitive total.
Babar Azam and Saad Baig Support Pakistan’s Recovery
Pakistan faced early setbacks after left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka dismissed openers Saim Ayub for seven and Fakhar Zaman for 16.
Debutant Saad Baig then played an aggressive innings of 39 off 40 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours. Alongside Babar Azam, who scored 45, Baig helped Pakistan recover through a 74-run partnership.
Fast bowler Eshan Malinga dismissed both batters in successive overs, briefly slowing Pakistan’s progress. However, Agha’s subsequent century helped the hosts regain control.
Malinga Shines Despite Sri Lanka’s Defeat
Eshan Malinga was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler, recording career-best figures of 4-46. Asitha Fernando also made an impact with three wickets for 59 runs.
Despite their efforts, Sri Lanka could not contain Agha’s decisive innings, allowing Pakistan to begin the tri-series with a victory.
Pakistan will now look to build on the result when they face England on Tuesday in the next match of the competition.