Agha Sizzles, Rauf Roars: Pakistan Triumphs Over Sri Lanka in ODI Opener

Pakistan secured a narrow victory over Sri Lanka by six runs in the first one-day international held in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, thanks to a resilient century from Salman Agha and a four-wicket haul by Haris Rauf.

Agha played an unbeaten knock of 105 off 87 balls, propelling Pakistan to 299-5. In response, Rauf’s impressive figures of 4-61 restricted Sri Lanka to 293-9 in their allotted 50 overs, granting Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The match proceeded despite the backdrop of a tragic suicide attack nearby in Islamabad, which resulted in at least 12 fatalities and multiple injuries.

Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board intensified security measures for the visiting team.

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Sri Lanka’s innings was set up by debutant Kamil Mishara, who scored 38, and Pathum Nissanka, contributing 29, with a strong 85-run opening stand. Rauf, however, quickly dismantled their momentum by dismissing both openers and Kusal Mendis for a duck within the span of just five runs.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and captain Charith Asalanka (32) attempted to mount a comeback with a 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Rauf broke through with Babar Azam capturing a remarkable slip catch to send Samarawickrama packing.

At 210-7, Sri Lanka seemed to be down and out, but Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a valiant 52-ball 59. This spirited effort brought down the deficit to 23 runs needed from the last two overs, yet he was ultimately dismissed with 8 balls and 21 runs still required.

Hasaranga’s innings featured seven boundaries, while Janith Liyanage contributed with two sixes and as many boundaries in his score of 28.

Pakistan’s captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, lauded his team’s substantial total. “Agha and (Hussain) Talat batted exceptionally well to take us to 299,” Shaheen noted. “A target of 300 was solid, and then Haris’s crucial wickets made the difference.”

PAK vs SL, 1st ODI – AS IT HAPPENED

Asalanka acknowledged his bowlers conceded too many runs. “Agha and Talat’s innings shifted the game away from us,” Asalanka stated. “We allowed too many runs; we should have kept them under 270.”

Earlier, Agha recorded his second ODI century, and Talat scored 62, stabilizing the team’s innings from a shaky 95-4 after being put into bat first.

Sri Lankan spinner Hasaranga briefly shook Pakistan with figures of 3-54, but Agha and Talat’s partnership of 138 for the fifth wicket revitalized the innings.

Talat’s innings came to an end in the 44th over, having hit one six and six fours in his maiden ODI fifty.

Agha recorded nine boundaries, as Pakistan amassed an additional 104 runs in the last 10 overs with help from Mohammad Nawaz, who made a quickfire 23-ball 36 not out.

Pacer Asitha Fernando provided an early breakthrough for Sri Lanka in the fifth over by trapping opener Saim Ayub leg-before for six.

Fakhar Zaman (32) and Babar Azam (29) contributed a 54-run partnership for the second wicket, with Pakistan gradually reaching 50 within 16 overs.

Hasaranga intervened with a brief but effective spell, dismissing Zaman, Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan (five) in quick succession.

The remaining matches of the series are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, also in Rawalpindi.

Published on Nov 12, 2025