Salman Agha's century powers Pakistan to 37-run win over Sri Lanka in tri-series opener
Agha's 107 rescued Pakistan from 118 for 4, and the fast bowlers took Sri Lanka's last five wickets for 15 runs. England are next in Rawalpindi on October 20.
At a glance
- Pakistan made 305 all out and bowled Sri Lanka out for 268 to win by 37 runs in Rawalpindi on October 18.
- Player of the Match Salman Agha scored 107 off 90 balls with 10 fours and a six.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3 for 55; Eshan Malinga took 4 for 46 for Sri Lanka.
- Babar Azam made 45 and passed 16,000 international runs; Saad Baig scored 39 on ODI debut.
Pakistan opened the ODI tri-series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 18, built on a fighting century from Salman Agha and a late collapse forced by the pace attack.
Agha rebuilds the innings
Sri Lanka won the toss and bowled. Dilshan Madushanka removed Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman early, and Pakistan were 32 for 2 in the sixth over. Babar Azam made 45 off 57 balls — passing 16,000 international runs along the way — before falling to Eshan Malinga, and Pakistan slipped to 118 for 4 in the 22nd over.
Salman Agha then took charge. He added 97 with Hasan Nawaz (37) and 64 with Arafat Minhas (18), reaching 107 off 90 balls with 10 fours and a six. Debutant Saad Baig contributed a composed 39. Pakistan were 279 for 5 in the 45th over but lost their last five wickets for 26 to finish on 305 all out. Malinga was Sri Lanka's best bowler with 4 for 46, and Asitha Fernando took 3 for 59.
Pace attack closes it out
Sri Lanka slumped to 91 for 4 as Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Sahan Arachchige. Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60) then added 119 to take the visitors to 253 for 5 in the 44th over and put the chase back on.
Pakistan's quicks struck back hard, taking the last five wickets for just 15 runs. Shaheen finished with 3 for 55, while Naseem, Haris Rauf and Faheem took two wickets each. Sri Lanka were all out for 268 in the 49th over.
What's next
Pakistan top the table with two points. They face England at Rawalpindi on Tuesday, October 20, before Sri Lanka play England on October 22. The final four matches, including the final, are in Lahore.
Questions people are asking
Who won Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener?
Pakistan won by 37 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2026, after scoring 305 and dismissing Sri Lanka for 268.
When is Pakistan vs England in the tri-series?
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
How we verified this story
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