Salman Ali Agha’s sublime unbeaten century and Haris Rauf’s incisive four-wicket haul powered Pakistan to a hard-fought six-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series at Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Defending a total of 299, Pakistan’s pace battery, spearheaded by Haris (4-61) and supported by Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah, held their nerve as Sri Lanka came agonisingly close before falling short in the final over. The win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead, with the remaining two games to be played at the same venue on November 13 and 15.
Hasaranga’s Fightback Falls Short
Chasing 300, Sri Lanka’s innings ebbed and flowed. After slipping to 191 for 6, they found hope in Wanindu Hasaranga’s spirited 52-ball 59, an innings laced with seven boundaries.
With 21 needed from the final over, Theekshana briefly reignited Sri Lanka’s hopes with back-to-back boundaries off Hussain Talat, but Pakistan held their composure to clinch victory. Losing captain Charith Asalanka conceded that Pakistan’s middle-order partnership had been decisive.
Salman and Talat batted really well. 299 was too much, honestly. I thought we could keep them to 260–270, it wasn’t a 300 pitch. We lost wickets in the middle, and Haris bowled extremely well. Including me, a few batsmen made bad decisions.
Rauf’s Fiery Spell Breaks Sri Lanka’s Rhythm
Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Asalanka (32) steadied the innings, but Haris struck again with a peach that induced a sharp edge, brilliantly snapped up by Babar Azam at first slip. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz then joined the act, as Sri Lanka’s middle order crumbled under pressure.
More credit goes to Haris Rauf, the way he started was really awesome. Haris is always a wicket-taker for Pakistan and one of our top performers in white-ball cricket. He’s our main bowler
Salman, Talat Rescue Pakistan with Game-Changing Stand
Earlier in the day, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan were reeling at 95 for 4 following Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant spell (3-54). But from there, Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat staged a remarkable turnaround, adding 138 runs for the fifth wicket to rescue the innings.
Salman, who struck his second ODI century, remained unbeaten on 105 off 87 balls with nine fours, while Talat played the perfect foil with a fluent 62 off 63 deliveries. Their partnership transformed Pakistan’s innings from a shaky start into a commanding total.
I just wanted to stay in the moment and play each ball on merit. The partnership with Hussain set the tone. The running between us was the highlight, we knew if we took the game deep, we could finish strong with Nawaz and Faheem to follow.
Late Surge Takes Pakistan to 299
After Talat’s dismissal in the 44th over, Mohammad Nawaz provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 36 off just 23 balls, including five fours and a six. His 66-run partnership with Salman ensured Pakistan gathered 203 runs in the final 25 overs, a stunning turnaround from 96 for 4.
Salman brought up his hundred in style in the 48th over, driving Chameera for back-to-back boundaries before finishing the innings with a flourish as Pakistan posted 299 for 5, their fourth-highest ODI total at Rawalpindi.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 299/5 in 50 overs (Salman Ali Agha 105*, Hussain Talat 62, Mohammad Nawaz 36*; Wanindu Hasaranga 3-54); Sri Lanka 293/9 in 50 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 59, Sadeera Samarawickrama 39, Kamil Mishara 38, Charith Asalanka 32; Haris Rauf 4-61, Faheem Ashraf 2-49, Naseem Shah 2-55) Pakistan won by six runs; lead 1-0 in series.
