Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series after bowling out the visitors for 268 runs while chasing a target of 306 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Batting first after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, Pakistan posted 305 runs in 49.5 overs, setting a target of 306 for the visitors.
Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan’s batting effort with an impressive 107-run century. Babar Azam contributed 45 runs, while Saad Baig scored 39. Hasan Nawaz added 37 runs, followed by Arafat Minhas with 18 and Fakhar Zaman with 16.
For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga claimed four wickets, while Asitha Fernando took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 305.
In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 runs, falling 37 runs short of the target. Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure on the visitors to secure victory in the series opener, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking three wickets.
The tri-nation ODI series features Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England and runs from October 18 to 31, 2026. The seven-match tournament comprises six league matches and a final, with all fixtures scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Pakistan-England ODI on October 25 will be dedicated to breast cancer awareness as part of the series.
Source: Dunya News
-Agencies
