Salman’s century powers Pakistan to 37-run win over Sri Lanka
Salman Ali Agha struck his fourth ODI century as Pakistan began the tri-nation one-day series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Salman’s 107 off 90 balls helped Pakistan post 305 before the pace quartet of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf claimed all 10 wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Sri Lanka threatened to chase down the target through a fifth-wicket partnership between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage, but Pakistan’s bowlers struck back in the closing stages to secure the win.
Pakistan will face England on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka will take on the same opponents on October 22 before the tri-series moves to Lahore.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis opted to bowl first.
Dilshan Madushanka struck early, dismissing openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub inside the first six overs.
Debutant Saad Baig then joined Babar Azam to stabilise the innings, adding 74 runs for the third wicket.
Babar scored 45 off 57 balls, including six boundaries, and became the fifth Pakistan batter to reach 16,000 international runs, joining Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad.
Saad, Pakistan’s 262nd men’s ODI player, made 39 off 40 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Both batters fell to Eshan Malinga as Sri Lanka regained control.
Salman and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership off 94 balls for the fifth wicket.
Hasan contributed 37 off 49 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes.
Salman reached his century in the 45th over off 82 balls before being dismissed by Asitha Fernando.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to 26 runs in the final five overs while taking four wickets.
Malinga finished with four for 46, Fernando claimed three for 59, and Madushanka took two wickets.
In reply, Sri Lanka lost Avishka Fernando for five to Naseem Shah before Faheem Ashraf dismissed captain Kusal Mendis for 18.
Shaheen then removed Kamindu Mendis, who scored 44 off 50 balls, and Sahan Arachchige to leave the visitors struggling at 91-4 after 19.3 overs.
Rathnayake and Liyanage revived the chase with a century stand for the fifth wicket.
Rathnayake made 79 off 74 balls, including six fours and two sixes, while Liyanage scored 60 off 74 deliveries, hitting five boundaries.
With Sri Lanka needing 96 runs from the final 13 overs, Faheem broke the partnership by dismissing Rathnayake.
Pakistan then took five wickets for 15 runs to dismantle the lower order and seal the victory with 11 balls remaining.
Shaheen finished with three for 55, while Naseem, Haris and Faheem took two wickets each. Salman was named player of the match for his match-winning century.