Pakistan edged Sri Lanka by six runs in a nail-biting encounter to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan posted 299 for 5 in 50 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 105 from Salman Ali Agha, who shared a crucial 138-run partnership with Hussain Talat.

Opener Fakhar Zaman contributed 32 runs, while Babar Azam added 29 before falling to Wanindu Hasaranga. Mohammad Nawaz finished with a quick 36 not out off 23 balls in the final overs.

For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga took three wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana claimed one each.

Chasing 300, Sri Lanka started strongly with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara adding 85 for the first wicket.

However, early breakthroughs by Haris Rauf triggered a middle-order collapse. Charith Asalanka’s 32 and Hasaranga’s fighting 59 brought Sri Lanka close, but they fell short, finishing on 293 for 9 in 50 overs.

Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 4 wickets for 61 runs. Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah took 2 wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz added one more.

Match highlights

Pakistan’s innings anchored by Salman Ali Agha’s 105* (87 balls, 9 fours).

Hussain Talat scored 62 off 63 in a key 138-run partnership.

Pakistan set 300-run target; Sri Lanka managed 293/9. Pakistan leads series 1-0

Captains’ remarks

Shahzad Shah Afridi, Pakistan captain, said the dew factor influenced the decision to bowl first, adding that Rawalpindi is a high-scoring ground.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka noted the pitch is fair but dew could play a role, while highlighting the return of Hasaranga and debut of Kamil Mishara.

Pakistan made one change for the series, replacing middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz with Abdul Samad. Shahid Afridi leads the side in his second ODI series, having recently defeated South Africa 2-1.

The three-match ODI series runs from November 12 to 15, followed by the Tri-Nation Series including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.

Historically, Pakistan holds a strong record against Sri Lanka, winning 93 of 157 ODIs between them, with 59 wins for Sri Lanka, 1 tie, and 4 no results.

Commentary panel

The PCB announced the commentary panel for the series, including former Sri Lankan middle-order batter Russel Arnold, off-spinner Rohan Abeysinghe, Amir Sohail, and fast bowler Waqar Younis. Former women’s cricketer Arooj Mumtaz will also join, with Zeenat Abbas as the series presenter.