Salman, Haris power Pakistan to thrilling win over Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI: A magnificent unbeaten century by Salman Ali Agha (105 not out) and a fiery spell from Haris Rauf (4-61) guided Pakistan to a thrilling six-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening One-Day International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday evening. The nail-biting contest saw Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Salman’s fluent knock, laced with nine exquisite boundaries anchored Pakistan’s innings after an early wobble. Coming in with his side struggling at 95 for 4, he stitched together a 138-run partnership with Hussain Talat (62) that turned the tide and set the platform for a challenging total of 299 for 5. Sri Lanka fell just six runs short, ending their fifty overs at 293 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs.

“I just focused on one ball at a time and wanted to take the game deep,” said Salman after receiving the Man of the Match award. “The partnership with Talat was crucial, and I’m glad we could build something substantial for the team.”

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi praised the team’s resilience, crediting Salman and Talat for steering the innings and Haris Rauf for his aggressive bowling. “Salman and Talat’s partnership gave us the cushion we needed, and Haris bowled brilliantly under pressure,” Shaheen said.

Sri Lanka began their chase aggressively, racing to 85 by the 12th over, but Haris Rauf’s raw pace and incisive bursts kept striking at vital intervals. Despite fighting half-centuries from Wanindu Hasaranga (59) and handy contributions from Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Kamil Mishra (38), the visitors fell short, finishing at 293 for 9.

Hasaranga, who also impressed with the ball, claiming 3 for 54, gave Sri Lanka late hope before being dismissed, a moment that turned the match decisively in Pakistan’s favor. The thrilling contest kept the Rawalpindi crowd on edge till the final over, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting series.

Score Summary:

Pakistan: 299-5 in 50 overs (Salman Ali Agha 105 not out, Hussain Talat 62, Mohammad Nawaz 36 not out, Hasaranga 3-54)

Sri Lanka: 293-9 in 50 overs (Hasaranga 59, Samarawickrama 39, Kamil Mishra 38, Haris Rauf 4-61, Faheem Ashraf 2-49, Naseem Shah 2-55)

Result: Pakistan won by 6 runs

Man of the Match: Salman Ali Agha