Pakistan won by 6 runs against Sri Lanka
Pakistan Batting (1st Innings: 299/5 in 50 Overs)
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Fakhar Zaman | 32 | 55 |
| Saim Ayub | 6 | 14 |
| Babar Azam | 29 | 51 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | 5 | 8 |
| Salman Agha | 105* | 87 |
| Hussain Talat | 62 | 63 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 36** | 23 |
| Extras (lb 9, w 13, nb 1) | 23 | |
| Total | 299 | 5 wickets |
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Batting (2nd Innings: 293/9 in 50 Overs)
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Pathum Nissanka | 29 | 39 |
| Kamil Mishara | 38 | 36 |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | 0 | 1 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 39 | 48 |
| Charith Asalanka (c) | 32 | 49 |
| Janith Liyanage | 28 | 24 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 9 | 13 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 46 | 44 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 7 | 19 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 21 | 18 |
| Asitha Fernando | 0** | 2 |
| Extras (lb 9, w 13, nb 1) | 24 | |
| Total | 293 | 9 wickets |
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, spearheaded by the wizardry of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (3-54), put Pakistan in early trouble. The hosts stumbled, losing their top four for just 95 runs inside 24 overs. Opener Fakhar Zaman (32) and skipper Babar Azam (29) both failed to convert their starts, leaving Pakistan staring at a below-par total on a traditionally batting-friendly surface.
Agha and Talat Engineer Pakistan’s Recovery
The innings was rescued by a brilliant 138-run fifth-wicket partnership between Salman Agha and the returning Hussain Talat. Agha, showcasing a magnificent blend of caution and aggression, anchored the revival with his second ODI century. His unbeaten 105 off 87 balls, studded with nine boundaries, was an innings of supreme composure under pressure. Talat played the perfect foil, scoring a career-best 62 off 63 deliveries.
Their partnership stabilized the innings and then launched a counter-attack, which was carried forward by a quick-fire cameo from Mohammad Nawaz, who blasted 36 not out off just 23 balls. The late onslaught saw Pakistan add 59 runs in the final five overs, pushing the total to a formidable 299/5—a remarkable achievement after their disastrous start.
Haris Rauf Seals the Deal in the Death Overs
Chasing a target just shy of 300, Sri Lanka’s reply was built on a series of starts from the middle-order, but they struggled to find a single, dominant partnership needed to overhaul the total. Pathum Nissanka (29), Kamil Mishara (38), and Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) all looked comfortable before falling victim to the mounting required run rate and pressure from Pakistan’s pacers.
The match entered its thrilling final phase when the aggressive Wanindu Hasaranga took center stage with the bat. Hasaranga’s rapid 59 off 52 balls kept the visitors’ hopes burning, consistently finding the boundary and turning singles into doubles. His partnership with the tail dragged Sri Lanka agonizingly close, reducing the equation to a manageable target in the last three overs.
However, Pakistan’s fast-bowling spearhead, Haris Rauf, delivered a decisive final spell. Taking four crucial wickets, Rauf ensured that every time Sri Lanka found momentum, a wicket fell. The final nail in the coffin came in the 49th over when Naseem Shah removed Hasaranga, effectively ending Sri Lanka’s challenge. The tail wagged to the end, but Sri Lanka ultimately fell short, finishing on 293/9.
Pakistan’s thrilling six-run victory under Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy gives them a crucial 1-0 lead in the series, setting up an intriguing battle as the two teams head into the second ODI.
Rauf Strikes and Hasaranga Fights Back
In their chase of 300, Sri Lanka got off to a confident start, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara putting on 85 runs. However, the introduction of pace proved decisive. Haris Rauf spearheaded the attack, shattering the top order with three quick wickets, including the dismissal of the set opener Kamil Mishara.
Despite the middle-order collapse, Sri Lanka’s lower-order launched a valiant fightback, led by the brilliant all-round effort of Wanindu Hasaranga. Striking six boundaries and a six, Hasaranga blasted a fast-paced 59 off 52 balls and dragged the match deep into the final overs, keeping the tension palpable.
With the required runs diminishing and the match down to the wire, it took a moment of fielding brilliance and a timely strike from Pakistan’s pacers to seal the game. Naseem Shah delivered the crucial blow, removing the dangerous Hasaranga in the penultimate over. Ultimately, Sri Lanka fell just short, finishing their innings at 293 for 9, handing Pakistan a narrow six-run victory.
The result gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, setting the stage for what promises to be an equally thrilling second ODI
All match update
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ODI Series
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Cricket
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Shaheen AfridiÂ
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Charith AsalankaÂ
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Subcontinental Rivalry
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Rawalpindi StadiumÂ
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Wanindu HasarangaÂ
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Babar AzamÂ
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Head-to-Head
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ODI World Cup
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Pakistan won by 6 runs against Sri Lanka
