First ODI: Pakistan edge Sri Lanka by six runs in nail-biting thriller

Pakistan held their nerve to clinch a thrilling six-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, after an all-round team effort led by Salman Agha’s century and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell.

Batting first, Pakistan posted 299 for five in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to Salman Agha’s unbeaten 105 off 87 balls and Hussain Talat’s well-paced 62.

The duo shared a 138-run stand for the fifth wicket after early setbacks left Pakistan struggling at 95 for four. Mohammad Nawaz added late fireworks with a brisk 36 off 23 balls, propelling the total close to 300.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 54 runs, while Maheesh Theekshana and Asitha Fernando took one apiece.

In reply, Sri Lanka came agonizingly close to the target, finishing at 293 for nine in their 50 overs. Despite Hasaranga’s quickfire 59 off 52 balls and solid contributions from Kamil Mishara (38) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (39), Pakistan’s bowlers struck at crucial moments to turn the game in their favour.

Haris Rauf starred with the ball, claiming 4 for 61, while Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with two wickets each.

The thrilling finish saw Sri Lanka needing 14 runs off the final over, but disciplined death bowling from Pakistan sealed the narrow win.

The second and third ODI will also be played at the same venue — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium — on November 13 and 15.

In head-to-heads, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 157 ODIs to date, with Pakistan winning 93 and Sri Lanka 59. One match ended in a tie, and four ended in a no-result. On Pakistan soil, the two teams have played 30 ODIs, with Pakistan holding an 18-12 advantage.

The last bilateral ODI series between the sides in Pakistan was played in 2019, which Pakistan won 2-0.

Among the current squad members, Babar Azam has an impressive record against Sri Lanka. In 12 ODIs, the right-handed batter has scored 535 runs at an average of 53.50, including three centuries and one half-century, with a highest score of 115 in Karachi during the 2019 series.

Pakistan will aim to extend their winning run in the white-ball cricket against Sri Lanka.

The series follows Pakistan’s successful home campaign against South Africa, where the hosts won both T20I and ODI series 2-1. The series against South Africa marked Shaheen Shah Afridi’s first assignment as ODI captain, and the left-arm pacer led from the front to guide Pakistan to a memorable series win.

After the three ODIs against Sri Lanka, Pakistan will feature in a tri-nation T20I series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, to be played from 17 to 29 November in Rawalpindi and Lahore.