Pakistan commenced their campaign in the One Day International tri-nation series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, successfully defending a target of 306.
Invited to bat first, Pakistan suffered early setbacks with openers Saim Ayub (7) and Fakhar Zaman (16) falling cheaply. Babar Azam (45) and Saad Baig (39) consolidated the innings with a steady partnership before Salman Ali Agha anchored the middle overs with a brilliant performance, compiling his fourth career ODI century. Vital partnerships of 97 runs with Hassan Nawaz (37) and 64 runs with Arafat Minhas (18) took the hosts to a competitive total, though a late collapse saw Pakistan bowled out for 305. Eshan Malinga led the Sri Lankan attack with four wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka claimed three and two wickets, respectively.
In response, Sri Lanka were restricted to 268 all out despite spirited half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60), alongside Kamindu Mendis’s 44. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling defense with figures of 3 for 53, well supported by Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, who picked up two wickets apiece to seal the opening triumph for the hosts.
