Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in ODI tri-series opener

• Babar Azam makes 45 off 57 deliveries.
• Haris, Naseem, Faheem take two wickets every.
• Rathnayake scores maiden ODI half-century for Sri Lanka.
  

Salman Ali Agha’s century and a scientific bowling efficiency guided Pakistan to a 37-run win over Sri Lanka within the opening match of the ODI tri-nation sequence at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a goal of 306, Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs as Pakistan’s bowlers, led by captain Shaheen Afridi, delivered a formidable efficiency.

Sri Lanka misplaced Avishka Fernando for 5 within the sixth over after a 30-run opening stand with Kamindu Mendis. Skipper Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu, however their 36-run partnership ended when Faheem Ashraf dismissed Kusal for 18, leaving Sri Lanka at 66-2.

Kamindu scored 44 off 50 deliveries earlier than Shaheen eliminated him, then struck once more to dismiss Sahan Arachchige for 3 as Sri Lanka slipped to 91-4.

Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage revived the innings with an important 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Sri Lanka previous 200. Rathnayake registered his maiden ODI half-century and went on to attain 79 off 74 deliveries, together with six fours and two sixes, earlier than Faheem broke the stand.

Liyanage continued the struggle, reaching his eighth ODI half-century, whereas Dasun Shanaka added fast runs. Their 43-run partnership ended when Haris Rauf dismissed Liyanage for 60 off 74 balls, together with 5 boundaries, leaving Sri Lanka at 253-6.

Shaheen then eliminated Shanaka for 28 off 18 deliveries, together with three fours and a six, additional denting Sri Lanka’s hopes.

Naseem Shah dismissed Sachindu Colombage for one, whereas Eshan Malinga was run out for 2 following a mix-up between the batters.

Haris wrapped up the innings by dismissing Asitha Fernando for seven, sealing Pakistan’s 37-run win.

Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling assault with figures of 3-55 in 10 overs, whereas Naseem, Haris and Faheem claimed two wickets every.

Earlier, after being requested to bat first, Pakistan made a optimistic begin as openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub added 23 runs earlier than Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Saim for seven within the fourth over.

Madushanka struck once more within the sixth over, eradicating Fakhar for 16 as Pakistan slipped to 32-2.

Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig then steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership, taking Pakistan previous 100. Eshan Malinga broke the stand by dismissing Babar for 45 off 57 balls, together with six fours, earlier than eradicating Saad for 39 off 40 deliveries, that includes three boundaries and two sixes.

Salman and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership, serving to Pakistan cross 200. Hasan scored 37 off 49 balls earlier than Asitha Fernando dismissed him at 215-5.

Salman continued to speed up the scoring, including 64 runs with Arafat Minhas, who made a brisk 18 off 15 deliveries, earlier than reaching his fourth ODI century. Fernando dismissed Arafat after which eliminated Salman, who top-scored with 107 off 90 balls, together with 10 fours and a six.

Malinga claimed his third wicket by dismissing Faheem Ashraf for six, then got here near a hat-trick when Naseem Shah fell for a duck. Haris Rauf survived the hat-trick supply after an unsuccessful leg-before-wicket enchantment.

Captain Shaheen Afridi contributed an unbeaten 13 off 12 balls as Pakistan crossed 300, with Haris run out on the ultimate supply.

For Sri Lanka, Malinga took 4-46 in 9.5 overs, whereas Fernando claimed three wickets and Madushanka two.