PAK vs SL 1st ODI Highlights: Salman Ali Agha Century, Pace Trio Guide Pakistan to 37-Run Victory in Tri-Series Opener

A masterclass in middle-order pacing from Salman Ali Agha followed by an incisive display of fast bowling propelled Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. In the opening fixture of the 2026 Pakistan ODI Tri-Nation Series, Salman's fourth one-day century rescued the hosts from early turbulence, lifting them to a competitive 305 in 49.5 overs. Despite determined fifties from Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage, Sri Lanka folded for 268 in 48.1 overs against Pakistan's pace battery led by Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.

DailyCricInfo delivers the complete, verified scorecard breakdown, key partnerships, and tactical turning points from the tri-series opener in Rawalpindi.

Salman Ali Agha 107 and Babar 45 Revive Pakistan to 305

Invited to bat first after Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss on a true Rawalpindi surface, Pakistan endured a shaky start against the moving white ball.

Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka struck early blows, removing opening batter Saim Ayub for 7 in the second over before having Fakhar Zaman caught by Sachindu Colombage for 16, leaving the hosts at 29 for 2.

Former captain Babar Azam and young wicketkeeper Saad Baig stabilized the innings with a composed 67-run alliance for the third wicket.

Babar looked in sublime touch, striking six crisp boundaries in a 57-ball 45 before seam bowler Eshan Malinga induced a mistimed drive caught by Pavan Rathnayake. When Malinga removed Baig for a brisk 39 off 40 balls (three fours, two sixes), Pakistan slipped to 127 for 4 in the 25th over.

The defining phase of the innings belonged to Salman Ali Agha, who took complete charge of the middle and death overs.

Salman rotated the strike with precision and punished loose lengths across the ground, reaching his fifty in 51 deliveries. Alongside Hasan Nawaz (37 off 49 balls), Salman added a vital 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket, blunting Sri Lanka's spin attack.

Salman shifted gears in the final ten overs, clobbering ten boundaries and a six to bring up his century in just 86 balls.

Pacer Asitha Fernando checked Pakistan's march in the final overs, having Salman caught by Dasun Shanaka for 107 off 90 deliveries and dismissing Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas (18 off 15 balls). Malinga wiped out the tail with a double strike in the 48th over, but a late cameo from captain Shaheen Afridi (13 not out) pushed Pakistan past 300 to finish on 305 all out with one ball to spare.

Malinga finished with 4 for 46 in 9.5 overs, while Asitha Fernando returned 3 for 59.

Shaheen, Naseem, and Faheem Break Sri Lanka Top Order

Chasing 306 under clear afternoon skies, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when Avishka Fernando fell for 5 in the sixth over, edging an outswinger from Naseem Shah to Faheem Ashraf at slip.

Kamindu Mendis batted fluently to score 44 off 50 balls with four boundaries, sharing a 36-run stand with Kusal Mendis (18 off 34 balls). However, Pakistan's bowling changes turned the tide swiftly.

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf removed Kusal Mendis caught by Saim Ayub, before Shaheen Afridi returned to have Kamindu caught by Faheem at midwicket. When Shaheen had Sahan Arachchige caught behind for 3, Sri Lanka were in deep trouble at 106 for 4 in the 24th over.

Rathnayake and Liyanage Defiance Foiled by Pakistan Pace Battery

Middle-order batters Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage refused to back down, mounting a spirited counter-attack that brought Sri Lanka right back into the contest.

The pair combined for a gritty 111-run partnership for the fifth wicket, punishing loose balls and testing Pakistan's fielding. Rathnayake was particularly aggressive, launching six boundaries and two sixes on his way to 79 off 74 deliveries, while Liyanage reached a measured half-century with 60 off 74 balls.

With the required rate climbing, Faheem Ashraf produced the breakthrough Pakistan needed in the 41st over. Faheem forced a false shot from Rathnayake, who holed out to Salman Ali Agha at deep cover.

Express pacer Haris Rauf then ended Liyanage's resistance, inducing a leading edge safely pouched by Babar Azam.

Former captain Dasun Shanaka struck three boundaries and a six in an 18-ball 28, but Shaheen Afridi dismissed him caught by Babar to seal the match.

Rauf applied the finishing blow in the 49th over, cleaning up Asitha Fernando's off stump for 7 to bundle Sri Lanka out for 268 in 48.1 overs.

Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 55 in ten overs, while Naseem Shah (2 for 43), Haris Rauf (2 for 48), and Faheem Ashraf (2 for 49) provided disciplined support.

Salman Ali Agha was named Player of the Match for his match-winning 107 that laid the foundation for Pakistan's opening tri-series victory.

The tri-series continues on Tuesday, October 20, as England enter the tournament to take on Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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