Salman Ali Agha played a century innings against Sri Lanka full update
Agha Salman’s Spectacular Century Rescues Pakistan in Series Opener Against Sri Lanka
In a display of remarkable composure and counter-attacking brilliance, Salman Ali Agha smashed a magnificent, unbeaten century (105*) to haul Pakistan out of a precarious position and power them to a formidable total of 299/5 in the first One-Day International against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2025. This career-defining innings, his second ODI ton, was the bedrock of Pakistan’s recovery, ensuring a commanding start to the three-match series.
The Mid-Innings Crisis
The day began ominously for the hosts. Opting to field first after winning the toss, the Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly the wily leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, wreaked havoc on Pakistan’s top order. The loss of key batsmen, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, saw Pakistan reeling at a worrying 95 for 4 inside the 24th over. The much-vaunted top order had faltered, leaving the middle order with the daunting task of steadying the ship and posting a competitive score on a surface that promised runs but was offering assistance to the spinners.
The Rescue Act: Partnership with Talat
Walking in when the pressure was at its peak, Salman Ali Agha joined hands with Hussain Talat, and the duo orchestrated a rescue mission that would fundamentally change the course of the match. Exhibiting maturity that belied his international experience, Agha initially focused on attrition, rotating the strike and weathering the storm of Hasaranga’s probing spell.
The partnership, a colossal 138-run stand for the fifth wicket, was a masterclass in reading the situation. While Talat settled in to record a crucial maiden ODI fifty (62 runs), Agha was the main orchestrator, cleverly finding gaps and punishing the loose deliveries. The momentum began to shift as the partnership moved past the 100-run mark, forcing the Sri Lankan captain to rethink his bowling strategy.
The Explosive Finish
With the platform set and wickets in hand, Agha moved into top gear in the final phase of the innings. His acceleration was phenomenal. Having anchored the innings through the middle overs, he now began to unleash a flurry of powerful strokes, demonstrating his clean hitting ability. He peppered the boundary ropes, scoring nine boundaries in total. His running between the wickets remained sharp, turning ones into twos and keeping the scoreboard ticking at a frenetic pace.
Agha brought up his brilliant century off just 87 balls, a timely milestone that received a rousing reception from the Rawalpindi crowd. His ton was the first by a Pakistani batsman at the venue in a staggering 927 days, a testament to the long-overdue nature of such a dominant home performance.
He then found a willing partner in all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, and the pair added an unbeaten 66 runs in the final overs, including an exhibition of late-innings hitting that saw Pakistan add 104 runs in the last ten overs. Agha finished with a sensational 105 not out off 87 balls, propelling Pakistan to a total of 299/5, a score that felt improbable just a few hours earlier.
A Star Emerges
Salman Ali Agha’s innings was more than just statistics; it was a statement. It was a clear demonstration of his growth as a reliable middle-order linchpin, capable of soaking up pressure and dominating the opposition bowling attack. The right-hander’s knock will be remembered not only for its runs but for its immense value in a crunch situation, transforming a likely below-par score into a challenging target for the tourists. As Pakistan looks ahead to major tournaments, Agha’s ability to be their “get-out-of-jail-free card” from the lower-middle order stands out as a precious asset.
