Agha century steers Pakistan to 37-run win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi tri-series opener
Salman Ali Agha scored 107 off 90 balls as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the tri-series at Rawalpindi on October 18, 2026; Pakistan were all out for 305 in 49.5 overs and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won his fourth successive toss and elected to field, handing Pakistan the innings. Agha had been among seven Pakistan cricketers summoned home at the end of August during the tumultuous tour of England after he led the side in the first Test; he was later removed as Pakistan T20 captain and lost his place in the T20 team that beat Sri Lanka 2-1, but a prolific domestic run, including a triple century, earned him an ODI recall.
Pakistan were 118-4 in the 22nd over before Agha rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz (37) and a subsequent 64-run stand with Arafat Minhas (18). Agha reached his fifty off 48 balls and brought up his century with an edged boundary; leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage (0-61) struggled to contain him. Eshan Malinga (4-46) and Asitha Fernando (3-59) removed several batters in the final five overs, with Pakistan, at 279-5, losing their last five wickets for 26 runs.
Sri Lanka's chase lost early momentum when Avishka Fernando top-edged Naseem Shah and Kusal Mendis managed only 18 from 34 balls before falling to Faheem Ashraf. Kamindu Mendis (44 off 50) survived two dropped catches before Shaheen Afridi struck twice as Sri Lanka reached 91-4 in the 20th over, but Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60) put on 119 to revive the pursuit despite heavy dew limiting reverse swing at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The dismissal of Rathnayake in the 38th over opened a window for Pakistan, with Dasun Shanaka contributing 28 off 18 in a late push. Pakistan’s pace attack produced the key figures: Shaheen Afridi 3-55, Naseem Shah 2-43, Haris Rauf 2-48 and Faheem Ashraf 2-49, the latter claiming Rathnayake’s wicket. Malinga’s double-wicket maiden threatened a collapse and he finished with four wickets, narrowly missing a hat-trick when Haris Rauf blocked the chance.
Dilshan Madushanka (2-67) had earlier removed Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman (16) and Saim Ayub (7) in his opening spell, while Babar Azam and 19-year-old debutant Saad Baig put on a 74-run third-wicket stand; Babar fell for 45 off 57 and Baig struck two sixes and three fours before being caught at deep fine leg by Malinga. Pakistan’s win gives them a winning start in the tri-series.
Pakistan face England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, October 20, in the tri-series second match.
