Salman’s century, Shaheen’s three-fer power Pakistan to 37-run win over Sri Lanka
Pakistan kick off their ODI tri-series campaign in convincing fashion and will now face England on October 20
Syed Irtiza Ali
Associate Producer, Karachi
Syed Irtiza Ali is a sports journalist with writing experience since 2016. For five years, contributed freelance articles to The News on Sunday (TNS), on all major sports. In late 2021, joined Geo News as a Sports Sub-Editor. Have written bylines for TNS, Geo, and Geo Super. He aims to bring attention to overlooked sports such as squash and hockey.
Salman Ali Agha top-scored for Pakistan with 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six.
PCB
Pakistan began the ODI tri-nation series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, with Salman’s fourth ODI century and Shaheen Afridi’s three-wicket haul guiding the hosts to victory.
Salman top-scored with 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six, as Pakistan posted 305 after being asked to bat first. Shaheen claimed 3-55, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf took two wickets each to bowl Sri Lanka out for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Pakistan will face England in the second match of the tri-series in Rawalpindi on Oct. 20.
Salman’s century rescued Pakistan
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub fell early as Pakistan slipped to 32-2. Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig then added 74 runs for the third wicket, with Babar scoring 45 and Saad contributing 39.
Salman and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership. Hasan made 37 before falling for 37?
Salman then combined with Arafat Minhas, who scored 18 off 15 balls, in a 64-run stand to take Pakistan past 250. Salman reached his fourth ODI century before being dismissed for 107, while Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga finished with 4-46 and Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets.
Hosts’ all-round bowling display sealed victory
Sri Lanka began their chase steadily, but Naseem dismissed Avishka Fernando for five before Faheem Ashraf removed captain Kusal Mendis for 18. Shaheen then struck twice, dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 44 and Sahan Arachchige for three to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 91-4.
Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage revived the chase with a century partnership for the fifth wicket. Rathnayake scored 79 off 74 balls, while Liyanage made 60 off 74 deliveries, but Faheem and Haris Rauf broke through to end their resistance.
Shaheen dismissed Dasun Shanaka for 28, while Naseem removed Sachindu Colombage for one. Eshan Malinga was run out for two before Haris dismissed Asitha Fernando for seven to seal Pakistan’s 37-run win.
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