Pakistan Edge Sri Lanka by Six Runs in a Rawalpindi Thriller
Cricket fans were treated to a pulsating clash in Rawalpindi as Pakistan narrowly defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in the first One-Day International (ODI) to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. It was a game of fluctuating fortunes where Salman Agha’s century, Hussain Talat’s steady half-century, and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell outshone a spirited all-round performance from Wanindu Hasaranga.
A Match to Remember
Set a target of 300, Sri Lanka fought valiantly but finished at 293 for 9, falling just short of what would have been their second-highest successful chase in Rawalpindi. Hasaranga’s brilliant 59 off 52 balls brought the visitors agonizingly close, but the hosts held their nerve in the final overs.
Pakistan’s win, though slender, was built on a fine blend of determination, teamwork, and composure, and it offered the crowd every ingredient of a classic ODI: early setbacks, recovery partnerships, spectacular bowling, and last-over drama.
Pakistan’s Early Wobbles
After being put into bat, Pakistan struggled early against Sri Lanka’s new-ball attack. Dushmantha Chameera and Asitha Fernando made the ball talk, restricting the scoring rate to under three runs per over in the powerplay. Both Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq looked tentative and soon perished to disciplined bowling.
When captain Babar Azam fell cheaply to Hasaranga’s spin, Pakistan were reeling at 95 for 4, and a sub-250 total looked likely. The Sri Lankan bowlers had executed their plans perfectly — attacking the stumps, maintaining tight lines, and forcing Pakistan’s top order into errors.
But just when it looked like the game was slipping away, Salman Agha and Hussain Talat stepped up to rewrite the script.
Agha and Talat: The Partnership that Saved Pakistan
At 95 for 4, Pakistan desperately needed stability, and Agha and Talat delivered in style. The pair played with remarkable maturity, respecting the good balls and punishing the loose ones. Their partnership of 138 runs for the fifth wicket completely changed the tone of the innings.
Agha played with elegance and confidence, rotating strikes efficiently while picking boundaries with smart placement. Talat complemented him perfectly, using soft hands against spin and showing great intent against part-timers.
Their approach was simple but effective: take the game deep and attack late. By the time Talat fell for a composed 62 off 80 balls, Pakistan had regained control.
Salman Agha’s Classy Century
Salman Agha’s knock was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s total. Walking in under pressure, he constructed a brilliant 105 not out from 88 deliveries, anchoring the innings while accelerating beautifully in the final overs.
His innings were a lesson in calculated risk-taking. He started slowly but grew in confidence, sweeping and driving fluently against both pace and spin. When he reached his century with a single behind point, the Rawalpindi crowd erupted it was his second ODI hundred and one of the most mature innings of his career.
In the last 10 overs, Agha shifted gears completely. Supported by Mohammad Nawaz, who struck an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls, he helped Pakistan add 104 runs in the final stretch, finishing on 299 for 5. That late surge would prove decisive.
Hasaranga Shines with the Ball
While Pakistan celebrated, Hasaranga ensured Sri Lanka stayed in the contest. The leg-spinner was sensational, finishing with figures of 3 for 54, including the wickets of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. His clever changes of pace and length repeatedly troubled Pakistan’s middle order.
Sri Lanka, however, paid the price for entering the match without a genuine fifth bowler. Part-timers like Janith Liyanage were forced to bowl eight overs, leaking crucial runs as Agha and Talat consolidated. Those extra 20–30 runs would come back to haunt them later.
Sri Lanka’s Chase: A Promising Start Gone Wrong
Chasing 300, Sri Lanka began in style. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, on ODI debut, attacked Pakistan’s wayward pacers, racing to 85 without loss inside 12 overs. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled for control, conceding a massive 26 wides — 70% of which came in the powerplay.
At that stage, the game looked firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour. But Haris Rauf had other ideas.
Haris Rauf’s Fiery Burst Turns the Tide
Rauf produced a spell that completely transformed the match. He first removed Mishara with a mistimed shot to mid-off, then dismissed Kusal Mendis off the very next ball, chopping onto his stumps. In his next over, he had Nissanka caught behind. In the space of three overs, Sri Lanka crumbled from 85 for 0 to 90 for 3.
Rauf’s fiery pace, coupled with reverse swing, rattled Sri Lanka’s middle order. His figures of 4 for 61 made him Pakistan’s enforcer and the key architect of their comeback.
From there, the visitors struggled to regain control. Though Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama added a steady 57-run stand, it was Babar Azam’s stunning catch at slip off Shaheen Afridi that broke the partnership and reignited Pakistan’s momentum.
Middle-Order Stumbles and Missed Chances
Sri Lanka’s middle order had moments of promise but lacked consistency. Asalanka, battling a hamstring niggle, and Liyanage tried to rebuild but faltered at crucial stages. Poor shot selection and miscommunication added to their woes.
A key turning point came when Asalanka charged down the track to Mohammad Nawaz, only to be stumped smartly by Rizwan. Soon after, Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply as Pakistan’s seamers tightened their grip.
From 210 for 7, the game seemed over until Hasaranga arrived to reignite hope.
Hasaranga’s Valiant Fightback
With the lower order collapsing, Hasaranga decided to take matters into his own hands. His 59 off 52 balls was a stunning display of controlled aggression. Mixing boundaries with smart strike rotation, he brought the equation down to 21 needed off 10 balls.
But just as the tension peaked, Hasaranga miscued a full toss from Faheem Ashraf to Babar Azam at long-on. Even then, Maheesh Theekshana struck two boundaries in the final over to spark brief hope, but Hussain Talat, entrusted with the ball, held his nerve to seal the win.
Sri Lanka’s chase ended at 293 for 9, heartbreakingly close yet painfully short.
Pakistan’s Bowling: Brilliant Yet Erratic
While Pakistan’s bowlers ultimately defended the total, their performance was far from flawless. The 26 wides and two dropped catches could easily have cost them the game. Yet, the attack showed resilience when it mattered most.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah provided early movement, while Faheem Ashraf delivered crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. Haris Rauf, however, was the standout — his energy, pace, and aggression gave Pakistan the spark they needed.
It was a collective effort, albeit with lessons to learn before the next ODI.
Fielding Moments and Missed Opportunities
Pakistan’s fielding oscillated between brilliance and blunders. Babar Azam’s spectacular slip catch off Samarawickrama was arguably the moment of the match, while the dropped chances and erratic throws kept Sri Lanka in contention.
Fielding continues to be an area of inconsistency for Pakistan, capable of brilliance one moment and chaos the next. Nonetheless, in a close finish like this, Babar’s efforts and sharp captaincy made all the difference.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Salman Agha’s maturity under pressure showcased Pakistan’s growing middle-order depth.
- Haris Rauf’s fiery burst reaffirmed his reputation as a game-changer in crunch moments.
- Hasaranga’s brilliance kept Sri Lanka competitive despite limited bowling resources.
- Sri Lanka’s decision to field first backfired as the pitch eased up for batting.
- Pakistan’s extras and lapses nearly turned a comfortable defence into a nail-biter.
Looking Ahead: Momentum and Lessons
Pakistan’s narrow win gave them confidence heading into the next two ODIs. Agha’s consistency, Talat’s revival, and Rauf’s impact were huge positives. However, the coaching staff will be concerned about the high number of extras and the inconsistent fielding effort.
For Sri Lanka, there were bright sparks, Hasaranga’s all-round show, the openers’ aggression, and moments of sharp bowling. But their lack of a proper fifth bowler and inability to close out partnerships cost them dearly.
With two matches remaining, both teams have plenty to work on. If the Rawalpindi encounter was any indication, fans can expect another gripping battle in the series.
Conclusion: A Classic ODI Clash
The first ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was cricket at its finest — a rollercoaster of emotions, skill, and drama. Pakistan’s 299 for 5 may not have looked insurmountable, but their resilience and composure under pressure ultimately sealed a memorable victory.
For Sri Lanka, the narrow defeat was bittersweet, a reminder of how close they came and how small moments can define outcomes in the 50-over format.
As the teams prepare for the next clash, one thing is certain: this series has reignited fans’ love for classic ODIs — full of fight, flair, and fine margins.
FAQs
1. Who was the Player of the Match?
Salman Agha was awarded Player of the Match for his unbeaten century (105*) that guided Pakistan to victory.
2. What was Wanindu Hasaranga’s performance in the match?
Hasaranga starred for Sri Lanka, taking 3 wickets for 54 runs and scoring 59 off 52 balls in the chase.
3. How did Haris Rauf impact the game?
Rauf’s fiery spell of 4 for 61 derailed Sri Lanka’s chase, turning the match decisively in Pakistan’s favour.
4. What went wrong for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka lost momentum after a strong start, lacked a fifth specialist bowler, and couldn’t capitalise on partnerships.
5. What’s next in the series?
The teams will meet again for the second ODI, where Pakistan will look to seal the series and Sri Lanka will aim for a comeback.
