Salman’s Ton and Shaheen’s Strikes Seal Pakistan’s Winning Start against Sri Lanka in Tri Nation Series Opener

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan began their ODI tri-nation series campaign with a convincing 37-run win over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, defending a target of 306 after bowling out the visitors for 268 in 48.1 overs.

Captain Shaheen Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets apiece to secure the victory.

Chasing 306, Sri Lanka lost Avishka Fernando early, with Naseem Shah providing Pakistan their first breakthrough in the sixth over. Fernando managed just five runs from nine balls as the opening stand ended at 30.

Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu Mendis and helped his side move past 50, but Faheem Ashraf broke their 36-run partnership by dismissing the Sri Lankan captain for 18 off 34 balls.

Kamindu attempted to rebuild the innings but fell to Shaheen Afridi for 44 off 50 deliveries, having struck four boundaries. The Pakistan skipper followed up with another wicket in the 20th over, sending Sahan Arachchige back for three as Sri Lanka slipped to 91-4.

With the visitors in trouble, Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage mounted an impressive recovery. The pair combined attacking strokeplay with sensible batting to rebuild the innings and keep Sri Lanka’s hopes alive.

Rathnayake brought up his maiden ODI half-century and continued to score freely alongside Liyanage. Their fifth-wicket stand eventually crossed 100 runs, carrying Sri Lanka beyond 200 and putting pressure back on the hosts.

Faheem finally ended the resistance by removing Rathnayake for an excellent 79 off 74 balls, an innings featuring six fours and two sixes. The 119-run partnership had given Sri Lanka a genuine opportunity to challenge Pakistan’s total.

Liyanage continued the fight and completed his eighth ODI half-century, while Dasun Shanaka added valuable runs with an aggressive cameo. Their 43-run partnership ended when Haris Rauf dismissed Liyanage for 60 off 74 balls, including five boundaries.

Shaheen then struck again to remove Shanaka, who scored 28 from just 18 deliveries with three fours and a six. Sri Lanka were further weakened when Naseem dismissed Sachindu Colombage for one.

A run-out accounted for Eshan Malinga, leaving the visitors nine wickets down, before Haris completed the job by dismissing Asitha Fernando for seven to finish the innings at 268.

Shaheen returned figures of 3-55 from his 10 overs, while Naseem, Faheem and Haris finished with two wickets each.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 305 before being bowled out, with Salman Ali Agha producing the standout performance of the innings through a superb century.

The hosts made an aggressive start through Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, but Sri Lanka’s left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka quickly changed the momentum. He dismissed Saim for seven in the fourth over and removed Fakhar for 16 two overs later, reducing Pakistan to 32-2.

Babar Azam and ODI debutant Saad Baig then took responsibility for rebuilding the innings. The pair negotiated the early pressure and put together a 74-run partnership, taking Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark.

Their stand ended when Eshan Malinga dismissed Babar for 45 off 57 deliveries, with the batter striking six boundaries. Malinga struck again in the following over to remove Saad, who made a promising 39 from 40 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

With Pakistan at 110-4, Hasan Nawaz joined Salman Ali Agha to stabilise the innings. Their partnership proved crucial as the scoring rate improved and Pakistan regained control.

Salman reached his 10th ODI half-century, while the pair added 97 runs for the fifth wicket. Hasan contributed 37 off 49 balls before Asitha Fernando ended the partnership in the 38th over, leaving Pakistan at 215-5.

Salman continued to dictate the innings, finding another important partner in Arafat Minhas. Their 64-run stand pushed Pakistan beyond 250, with Salman moving towards a memorable century.

Fernando dismissed Arafat for a quickfire 18 off 15 balls, but Salman remained in command and completed his fourth ODI hundred. His innings ended soon afterwards when Fernando claimed his third wicket, with Salman departing for a magnificent 107 off 90 deliveries. He struck 10 fours and one six.

Sri Lanka continued to make inroads during the closing overs as Eshan Malinga dismissed Faheem Ashraf for six and then removed Naseem Shah for a golden duck, coming close to claiming a hat-trick.

Haris Rauf survived the hat-trick delivery after it passed the stumps, with Sri Lanka’s appeal for leg before wicket unsuccessful. Pakistan crossed the 300-run mark during the final overs, with Shaheen contributing an unbeaten 13 from 12 balls before Haris was run out on the final delivery.

Malinga was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing with 4-46 in 9.5 overs. Fernando claimed three wickets, while Madushanka took two.

Pakistan’s total of 305 proved sufficient as their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 268, giving the hosts a winning start to the ODI tri-nation tournament.