RAWALPINDI, NOV 11: Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat led Pakistan’s fightback as the hosts posted 299 in the allotted 50 overs in the first One Day International (ODI) match against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Agha struck an unbeaten 100 while Hussain scored 62, lifting Pakistan from 95-4 in the 24th over to set a 300-run target.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Sri Lanka bowlers maintained consistent pressure from the outset, not allowing Pakistani batters to score freely.
Saim Ayub (6 off 14) was the first one to be removed by Asitha Fernando, leaving Pakistan 14-1. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman tried to stabilise the innings, but scoring remained difficult, with Pakistan reaching just 28-1 at the end of the first powerplay.
The pair took the score to 68 before Wanindu Hasaranga broke through, removing Fakhar for 32. The leg-spinner then struck again, dismissing Muhammad Rizwan (5) and Babar (29) in quick succession, leaving Pakistan four down for less than 100 runs.
After Pakistan’s brief collapse, all-rounders Agha and Talat engineered a remarkable recovery, putting together a 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with both batters registering half-centuries.
The crucial stand was finally broken in the 44th over when Maheesh Theekshana trapped Talat lbw with a quicker delivery. Talat departed after scoring 62 off 63 balls, including six fours and a six.
Agha, however, remained unbeaten, top-scoring for Pakistan with 105 off 87 deliveries, hitting nine fours. He was well supported by fellow all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, who played a brisk cameo of 36 not out off 23 balls, featuring five fours and a six.
Hasaranga was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 54 runs in his 10 overs, while Theekshana and Asitha Fernando picked up one wicket each.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando.
