Rawalpindi, October 18,2026: Pakistan began their ODI tri-nation series campaign with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, as captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and the bowling attack defended a target of 306.
Chasing 306, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs, despite fighting half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage. Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling effort with three wickets for 55 runs, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, Salman Ali Agha struck a superb 107 off 90 balls to help Pakistan post 305 in 49.5 overs. His third ODI century featured 10 fours and a six and anchored the innings after Pakistan lost both openers early.
Sri Lanka made a steady start to their chase through Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando, who added 30 runs before Naseem dismissed Avishka for five in the sixth over.
Captain Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu and helped take the total beyond 50, but Faheem Ashraf broke their 36-run partnership by dismissing Kusal for 18. Shaheen then removed Kamindu for 44 off 50 balls before sending Sahan Arachchige back for three, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 91-4.
Rathnayake and Liyanage revived the chase with a determined fifth-wicket partnership. The pair combined for 119 runs, taking Sri Lanka past 200 and keeping their hopes alive.
Rathnayake completed his maiden ODI half-century and went on to score 79 off 74 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes. Faheem eventually ended the partnership by dismissing him.
Liyanage continued the resistance, reaching his eighth ODI half-century, while Dasun Shanaka added quick runs to maintain the pressure on Pakistan. Haris Rauf broke their 43-run stand by dismissing Liyanage for 60 off 74 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 253-6.
Shaheen then removed Shanaka, who scored 28 off 18 deliveries, further denting the visitors’ chances.
Naseem dismissed Sachindu Colombage for one, before Eshan Malinga was run out for two following a mix-up between the batters. Haris completed the victory by dismissing Asitha Fernando for seven.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure through the middle and closing stages, ensuring Sri Lanka could not complete the chase despite the substantial partnership between Rathnayake and Liyanage.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings got off to a difficult start when Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Saim Ayub for seven and Fakhar Zaman for 16, reducing the hosts to 32-2 in 5.5 overs.
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 boundaries, while Saad contributed 39 off 40 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes.
Eshan Malinga broke the partnership by dismissing Babar and struck again in the following over to remove Saad, leaving Pakistan at 108-4.
Salman and Hasan Nawaz then took control of the innings, adding 97 runs for the fifth wicket to rebuild Pakistan’s total and accelerate the scoring.
Salman brought up his half-century before continuing to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers. Hasan provided valuable support with 37 off 49 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before Asitha Fernando dismissed him.
Salman remained Pakistan’s key batter, building another useful partnership with Arafat Minhas, who scored a brisk 18 off 15 deliveries. Their stand helped Pakistan cross the 250-run mark.
Fernando removed Arafat before dismissing Salman for 107 in the 47th over, with Dasun Shanaka taking the catch at long-on.
Pakistan then lost Faheem Ashraf for six, caught behind off Malinga, before the Sri Lankan pacer trapped Naseem Shah lbw for a duck on the next delivery. Malinga finished with four wickets for 46 runs in 9.5 overs, while Fernando took three for 59 and Madushanka claimed two wickets.
Pakistan crossed 300 before being bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs. Shaheen remained unbeaten on 13 off 12 balls, while Haris Rauf was run out for a duck.
Salman’s century gave Pakistan a competitive total, and the bowlers completed the job to secure an opening victory in the tri-nation tournament.
