Rawalpindi: Pakistan triumphed over Sri Lanka in the opening One Day International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, powered by a brilliant unbeaten century from middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha. Despite a fighting effort from Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka fell short in their chase.
Agha’s Century Anchors Pakistan’s Innings
Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bowl first on a lively Rawalpindi pitch. Pakistan made a cautious start, losing opener Saim Ayub for 6 to Asitha Fernando in the fifth over. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam then added a 54-run partnership, but both fell before reaching fifty Zaman for 32 and Babar for 29 as Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice to put Sri Lanka on top.
Pakistan’s innings recovered through a composed stand between Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat. Agha remained unbeaten on 105, registering his maiden ODI century, while Talat contributed 62. Mohammad Nawaz’s quick 36 pushed Pakistan to a competitive total of 299 by the end of their innings.
Sri Lanka’s Response Falls Short
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly, losing skipper Charith Asalanka for 32 and Kusal Mendis for a duck. Hasaranga, however, kept his side in contention with a resilient knock of 59 before being dismissed by fast bowler Naseem Shah. Despite flashes of resistance, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faltered under pressure and was eventually bowled out well short of the target.
Pakistan’s Bowling Seals Victory
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, maintained tight control throughout the innings. Naseem’s key breakthrough against Hasaranga turned the match firmly in Pakistan’s favor. The fielding unit backed up the bowlers with sharp efforts to ensure Sri Lanka could not recover momentum.
Emphasis on Security and Sportsmanship
Off the field, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inspected security arrangements during the match, assuring that the visiting Sri Lankan team had been granted “state guest” status. “No compromise will be made on their security,” he said, adding that strengthening sporting ties between the two nations remains a shared goal.
The win gave Pakistan an early advantage in the series, with the second ODI scheduled later this week under clear Rawalpindi skies.
