Agha marks Pakistan return with century as Sri Lanka fall 37 runs short

Salman Ali Agha marked his return to the Pakistan one-day side with his fourth ODI century, guiding his team to a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Agha made 107 off 90 balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs, after Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won his fourth successive toss and chose to field. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 268 in 48.1 overs.

The century caps a difficult period for Agha, who was among seven Pakistan players called back home from the tour of England at the end of August, shortly after he had led the side in the first Test. He was subsequently removed as Pakistan's T20 captain and dropped from the T20 squad that beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in the recent three-match series. Strong domestic form, including a triple century, earned him a recall to the ODI side.

Pakistan innings

Pakistan's openers Fakhar Zaman (16) and Saim Ayub (7) fell in Dilshan Madushanka's opening spell. Babar Azam and 19-year-old debutant Saad Baig then rebuilt with a 74-run stand for the third wicket before Eshan Malinga removed both in successive overs.

Babar, who has scored one ODI hundred in more than two years, made 45 off 57 balls when he pulled a short ball to mid-wicket. Baig hit two sixes and three fours before holing out at deep fine leg to a similar shot.

Agha then took the initiative in a 97-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz, who made 37, and a further 64 runs with Arafat Minhas (18). He reached his century with an edged boundary, and Nawaz also scored freely against leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage, who finished with none for 61 from his spell.

Sri Lanka struck back late. Malinga (4-46) bowled a double-wicket maiden and, with Asitha Fernando (3-59), checked Pakistan's finish. Pakistan, at 279 for 5, lost their last five wickets for 26 runs, with Haris Rauf surviving to deny Malinga a hat-trick.

Sri Lanka chase

Pakistan's fast bowlers had to contend with heavy dew that made the ball difficult to control, but they kept taking wickets. Avishka Fernando, returning to ODIs, top-edged a ball from Shaheen Afridi, and Kusal Mendis took 34 balls over 18 before falling to Faheem Ashraf.

Kamindu Mendis made 44 off 50 balls, surviving two dropped catches, before Afridi struck twice in his return spell to leave Sri Lanka 91 for 4 in the 20th over.

Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60) revived the chase with a 119-run stand, as Pakistan's seamers found it hard to reverse-swing the wet ball. Ashraf broke the stand by dismissing Rathnayake in the 38th over — a wicket described as the key to the result.

Dasun Shanaka, playing his first ODI since the start of 2024, made 28 off 18 balls, but the lower order could not keep pace. Afridi finished with 3-55, Naseem Shah took 2-43 after an impressive opening spell, Rauf took 2-48 and Ashraf 2-49.

Next up

Pakistan play England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday in the second match of the tri-series.