NEW DELHI: Amid heightened security following a deadly suicide bombing in nearby Islamabad that claimed at least 12 lives, Pakistan held their nerve to defeat Sri Lanka by six runs in a thrilling opening ODI on Tuesday, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
A brilliant unbeaten century from Salman Agha (105 off 87 balls) and a fiery four-wicket haul by Haris Rauf (4/61) powered Pakistan to a hard-fought win. Agha’s fluent innings, featuring nine boundaries, lifted Pakistan from 95/4 to a competitive 299/5, with crucial support from Hussain Talat (62). The duo added 138 runs for the fifth wicket before Mohammad Nawaz (36 off 23) helped add 104 runs in the final 10 overs.
Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga (3/54) had rattled Pakistan’s top order, removing Fakhar Zaman (32), Babar Azam (29), and Mohammad Rizwan (5) in a sharp spell.
Chasing 300, Sri Lanka started strongly as Kamil Mishara (38) and Pathum Nissanka (29) added 85 for the first wicket. But Rauf’s incisive burst turned the tide, dismissing both openers and Kusal Mendis (0) in quick succession. Middle-order resistance from Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Charith Asalanka (32) kept hopes alive, but Rauf struck again with the key wicket of Samarawickrama — superbly caught by Babar Azam in the slips.
With Sri Lanka reduced to 210/7, Hasaranga launched a late assault, smashing a 52-ball 59 with seven fours, bringing the equation down to 21 off eight balls before perishing in the deep. Janith Liyanage added 28 with two sixes and as many fours, but Pakistan held firm to seal the victory.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi praised his team’s composure under pressure:
“Agha and Talat batted brilliantly to get us to 299. Haris delivered at crucial moments,” he said.
Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka acknowledged his side’s lapses:
“We let them get away in the last overs. The target should have been below 270,” he admitted.
The remaining ODIs will be played in Rawalpindi on Thursday and Saturday, with security measures further tightened following the blast.
