Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka to Make Winning Start to ODI Tri-Series

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the ODI tri-nation series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Salman Ali Agha's century and Shaheen Afridi's three-wicket haul leading the hosts to victory.

Key points

• Chasing a target of 306, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs despite fighting half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage.
• Shaheen dismissed Kamindu for 44 off 50 balls and followed it up by removing Sahan Arachchige for three, reducing Sri Lanka to 91-4 in 19.3 overs.
• Asitha Fernando broke the partnership by dismissing Hasan for 37 off 49 balls, including two fours and two sixes, leaving Pakistan at 215-5 after 37.2 overs.
• While Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets each, shaheen led Pakistan's bowling attack with figures of 3/55 in 10 overs.
• Captain Shaheen Afridi remained unbeaten on 13 off 12 balls as Pakistan crossed the 300-run mark, with Haris run out in the final over.

While Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets each, shaheen led Pakistan's bowling attack with figures of 3/55 in 10 overs. AB de Villiers Rates Pakistani Pacer Above Bumrah.

Earlier, Pakistan recovered from a tough start to post 305, thanks to Salman's 107 off 90 balls. It included 10 fours and a six.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub put together 23 runs before Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Saim for seven in the fourth over. Madushanka struck again in the sixth over, removing Fakhar for 16 and leaving Pakistan struggling at 32-2.

Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership for the third wicket. Babar scored 45 off 57 balls, including six fours, before falling to Eshan Malinga in the 20th over.

Malinga struck again in the after over to dismiss Saad. This person produced 39 off 40 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Salman and Hasan Nawaz then led Pakistan's recovery with a 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Salman brought up his 10th ODI half-century as the pair took Pakistan past 200.

Salman continued to score freely and continued another 64 runs with Arafat Minhas. This person contributed 18 off 15 balls before falling to Fernando. During the partnership, Salman completed his fourth ODI century.

While Malinga removed Faheem Ashraf for six and Naseem Shah for a duck on consecutive deliveries, fernando afterwards dismissed Salman for 107.

Malinga narrowly missed a hat-trick as Haris Rauf survived the next delivery after an unsuccessful leg-before-wicket appeal.

Malinga finished as Sri Lanka's leading wicket-taker with 4/46 in 9.5 overs. While Madushanka took two, fernando asserted three wickets.

In response, Sri Lanka's openers Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando continued 30 runs before Naseem Shah dismissed Fernando for five in the sixth over.

Kamindu then shared a 36-run partnership with captain Kusal Mendis. This person scored 18 before falling to Faheem Ashraf.

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Rathnayake and Liyanage brought Sri Lanka back into contention with a 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking the visitors past 200.

Rathnayake scored his maiden ODI half-century and went on to create 79 off 74 balls, including six fours and two sixes, before Faheem concluded the partnership.

Liyanage kept Sri Lanka's hopes alive alongside Dasun Shanaka, adding 43 runs for the sixth wicket. Nevertheless, Haris dismissed Liyanage for 60 off 74 balls, including five fours, leaving Sri Lanka at 253-6 in 43.4 overs.

Shaheen then removed Shanaka. This person scored a quick 28 off 18 balls with three fours and a six.

While Eshan Malinga was run out for two, sri Lanka's remaining batters failed to build another partnership as Naseem dismissed Sachindu Colombage for one.

Haris sealed Pakistan's victory by dismissing Asitha Fernando for seven, ending Sri Lanka's innings at 268 and giving the hosts a winning start to the tri-nation series. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, pakistan Beat Sri Lanka to Make Winning Start to ODI Tri is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.