Pakistan began the 1st ODI of tri-series on a winning note after defeating Sri Lanka with a commanding all-round performance. Salman Agha led the way with a brilliant century, while the fast bowlers dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up to secure a comfortable victory.
The opening fixture also features England in the three-team competition. Pakistan will take plenty of confidence from their performance, particularly Salman’s return to form and the pace attack’s ability to deliver under pressure.
Sri Lanka chose to bowl first and made an encouraging start. Dilshan Madushanka troubled Pakistan’s batters with his pace and movement. The visitors also used short-pitched deliveries effectively and picked up wickets at regular intervals.
However, debutant Saad Baig joined Salman Agha to steady the innings. Baig made a useful contribution, but Salman took charge and changed the course of the match.
The all-rounder had recently lost his place in Pakistan’s Test side. Instead of allowing the setback to affect him, he returned to domestic cricket and responded with a remarkable triple century.
That innings helped restore his confidence. He carried the momentum into the ODI contest and produced a commanding hundred when Pakistan needed it most.
Salman’s knock gave the hosts a strong platform. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka fought back late in the 1st ODI of tri-series with Eshan Malinga claiming four wickets to restrict Pakistan progress.
Shaheen Afridi then struck a couple of important boundaries towards the end. His late contribution pushed Pakistan beyond the 300-run mark and gave the team a psychological advantage heading into the second innings.
Chasing a target above 300 proved challenging for Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s fast bowlers attacked with the new ball, leaving the visitors struggling at 91/4.
Kamindu Mendis tried to rebuild the innings. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, and he departed before reaching his half-century.
At that stage, Sri Lanka faced an uphill battle. Yet Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake revived their hopes with a determined partnership.
The pair added 119 runs for the fifth wicket. They rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries, putting Pakistan under pressure during the middle overs.
Rathnayake contributed a valuable innings before losing his wicket. Liyanage also kept the chase alive, but his dismissal ended Sri Lanka’s strongest resistance.
After breaking the partnership, Pakistan quickly regained control. Sri Lanka lost their final six wickets for just 58 runs, ending any realistic chance of a successful chase.
The result also extended Sri Lanka’s unwanted record of never having chased a target above 300 against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers played a crucial role in defending the total. Naseem Shah set the tone with an impressive opening spell under lights, exploiting the assistance available from the new ball.
His teammates followed suit, and Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 91/4. However, the bowlers had to remain patient as conditions became more favourable for batting.
As the ball softened and dew settled on the ground, Liyanage and Rathnayake began to find their rhythm. Their partnership briefly threatened to shift the momentum.
Faheem Ashraf eventually delivered the breakthrough Pakistan desperately needed. Haris Rauf then helped finish the job, while Shaheen Afridi contributed three wickets.
The other three specialist seamers claimed two wickets apiece, highlighting the collective strength of Pakistan’s pace attack.
Once the fifth-wicket stand ended, Sri Lanka struggled to recover. Pakistan’s bowlers seized the opportunity and wrapped up the innings before the visitors could mount another challenge.
Pakistan’s victory gives them an ideal start to the ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England. Although the visitors threatened a comeback during the middle overs, the hosts remained composed and struck at the decisive moment.
Salman Agha’s century stood out as the defining contribution. His response to being dropped from the Test side demonstrated his determination to regain form and strengthen his position in the national team.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s fast bowlers showed why they remain a major asset in limited-overs cricket. Pakistan early breakthroughs and late surge in 1st ODI of tri-series ensured Sri Lanka could not capitalise on the promising partnership.
With the opening match behind them, Pakistan will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture. Salman’s resurgence and the bowlers’ collective effort provide encouraging signs as the competition continues.