Brief
Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in ODI tri‑series opener
Salman Ali Agha's hundred and Shaheen Afridi's three‑wicket spell powered Pakistan to a 37‑run win over Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Pakistan posted 306/5, highlighted by Salman Ali Agha's 107, and then bowled out Sri Lanka for 268 in 48.1 overs to win the opening match of the ODI tri‑nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, dailytimes.com.pk reported.
What happened
Sri Lanka began their chase with a 30‑run opening stand before Avishka Fernando fell for five in the sixth over. A 36‑run partnership between Kamindu Mendis (44) and Kusal Mendis (18) lifted the total to 66‑2 before Faheem Ashraf dismissed Kusal. Shaheen Afridi then removed Kamindu and later Sahan Arachchige, reducing Sri Lanka to 91‑4. A 119‑run fifth‑wicket stand between Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60) revived the innings, taking the score past 200. Haris Rauf broke that partnership, and Shaheen dismissed Dasun Shanaka, sealing the win as Sri Lanka fell to 268 all out.
What the reports add
The article details Shaheen Afridi's figures of 3‑55 in 10 overs, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf each claimed two wickets. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets, and Malinga claimed four for 46. Pakistan's early batting collapse to 32‑2 was steadied by a 74‑run partnership between Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig, before Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Nawaz added 97 runs together.
What was said
No direct quotations appear in the source.
How it came about
Earlier in the series, Pakistan had been asked to bat first, a decision that set the stage for a high‑scoring innings. The victory follows Pakistan’s recent T20 success over Sri Lanka, including Farhan’s 89‑run blitz on 9 October, as covered in Felo News articles Farhan’s 89‑run blitz lifts Pakistan to 1‑0 T20 lead over Sri Lanka and Maaz Sadaqat hits no‑look six and scores maiden T20I fifty.
Key facts
- Pakistan scored 306/5 with Salman Ali Agha making 107 (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets for 55 runs (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Pavan Rathnayake made his maiden ODI half‑century, scoring 79 (dailytimes.com.pk)
- The match was played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (dailytimes.com.pk)
Sources
- [1] dailytimes.com.pk — originally reported as “Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in ODI tri-series opener”
