Salman Ali Agha Heroics Help Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka

Pakistan began their ODI campaign against Sri Lanka with a victory built around Salman Ali Agha’s century and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s timely wickets. Salman scored 107 off 90 balls to help Pakistan reach 305, before their bowlers ended Sri Lanka’s challenge.

Pakistan had already won the preceding T20I series. The captain changed for the ODI opener, with Shaheen taking charge, but the winning momentum continued. At the centre of this victory was Salman, the man who had recently lost his T20I captaincy and his place in that squad.

Wounded Salman Ali Agha Responds With a Century

After those setbacks, this innings felt like a strong response from a wounded player. Salman gave Pakistan exactly what they needed, turning a difficult start into a total their bowlers could defend.

Pakistan lost both openers cheaply. Babar Azam and Saad Baig then repaired the innings, with Babar contributing 45 and Saad scoring 39. Their partnership gave Pakistan some stability, but Salman’s innings provided the decisive push.

He struck 107 from just 90 deliveries, taking responsibility for building the innings while keeping the scoring moving. Hasan Nawaz also made a useful contribution, helping Salman take Pakistan towards a challenging total.

The biggest share of the credit for Pakistan reaching 305 belonged to Salman. His innings continued his strong work in ODI cricket and showed how much he still offered in this format.

Eshan Malinga Keeps Sri Lanka in the Contest

Eshan Malinga was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler, taking four wickets and providing breakthroughs whenever Pakistan threatened to pull away.

Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets, while Dilshan Madushanka took two. Both contributed, but Malinga’s ability to interrupt Pakistan’s progress made him the most effective member of the attack.

Despite those wickets, Sri Lanka could not prevent Salman from giving Pakistan a match-winning platform.

Rathnayake’s Resistance Gives Sri Lanka Hope

Sri Lanka also struggled at the start of their innings. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis fell cheaply, putting pressure on the batters who followed.

Kamindu Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake rebuilt the chase. Their partnership brought Sri Lanka back into the contest, and there was a stage when the visitors looked capable of taking the match away from Pakistan.

Rathnayake scored 79 and later received support from Janith Liyanage. Their partnership kept the chase alive, forcing Pakistan to keep searching for breakthroughs.

Rathnayake’s dismissal proved a major turning point. Sri Lanka lost their way after his departure and could not carry the recovery through to victory.

Shaheen’s Timely Wickets Turn the Match

Shaheen’s biggest contribution was his ability to deliver wickets when Pakistan needed them. His interventions through the middle phase helped break Sri Lanka’s momentum and turn the contest in his side’s favour.

The Pakistan captain finished with three wickets. Naseem Shah supported him with a controlled spell, bringing the same discipline that had made his bowling effective in the T20Is. Haris Rauf also contributed two wickets towards the end.

Salman had given Pakistan the runs to defend, and Shaheen ensured Sri Lanka could not complete their recovery. For the visitors, the challenge is to turn promising partnerships into longer innings and sustain their performance through the decisive stages.