The Salman Ali Agha century that defined the ODI tri-series opener was a masterclass in rebuilding an innings under pressure. Striking 107 off 90 balls, the Pakistan batter dragged his side from early trouble to 305 all out, setting up a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, chasing 306, were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs despite half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage. The Salman Ali Agha century, his fourth in one-day internationals, proved the decisive difference on a day when Pakistan’s fast bowlers held their nerve at the death.
Put in to bat after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, Pakistan suffered an early wobble. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka removed Saim Ayub for seven and Fakhar Zaman for 16, leaving the hosts reeling at 32 for two. Babar Azam and ODI debutant Saad Baig steadied the innings with a valuable 74-run partnership for the third wicket, Babar striking six boundaries in his 45 off 57 balls while Saad impressed with 39 from 40 deliveries on debut.
Salman Ali Agha Century Lifts Pakistan to 305
Eshan Malinga struck twice in quick succession to remove both set batters, leaving Pakistan under real pressure at 118 for four. It was then that the Salman Ali Agha century took shape. Joining Hasan Nawaz, Salman combined intelligent strike rotation with accelerating aggression through a crucial 97-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Hasan contributed 37 off 49 balls before falling to Asitha Fernando, but Salman continued imperiously alongside Arafat Minhas, whose brisk 18 off 15 balls pushed Pakistan beyond the 250 mark. The Salman Ali Agha century arrived studded with 10 fours and a six, and Fernando eventually ended the innings with the batter’s dismissal. Malinga finished with four for 46, while Fernando claimed three wickets.
The knock was notable for its control as much as its power. Salman paced the innings expertly, accelerating precisely when the situation demanded, and his fourth ODI hundred underlined his value in the middle order after a tumultuous period that had seen him among seven players summoned home during the tour of England in August.
Salman Ali Agha Century Followed by Pace Barrage
Sri Lanka’s chase began steadily before Pakistan’s pacers took over. Kamindu Mendis made 44 off 50 balls, but captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice to leave the visitors limping at 91 for four in the 20th over. Rathnayake and Liyanage then revived Sri Lankan hopes with a superb 119-run fifth-wicket stand, Rathnayake registering his maiden ODI half-century on his way to 79 off 74 balls.
Liyanage reached his eighth ODI fifty, scoring 60 off 74 balls, and with Dasun Shanaka adding a rapid 28 off 18, Sri Lanka remained in the hunt deep into the chase. But the Pakistan quicks kept chipping away. Faheem Ashraf broke the defining stand by dismissing Rathnayake, Haris Rauf removed Liyanage, and Shaheen returned to account for Shanaka as the chase unravelled.
Shaheen led the attack with three for 55 in 10 overs, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf claimed two wickets each. Naseem’s early swing had pinned down the top order, finishing with two for 43, and Pakistan’s bowlers overcame heavy dew to close out the win. The chase had briefly threatened to get away from the hosts during the 119-run stand, but the return of the strike bowlers at the death restored order emphatically.
What the Salman Ali Agha Century Means for the Series
The victory gives Pakistan a golden start to the tri-series, with England up next in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. There was further cheer for the hosts as Babar Azam, during his 45, became the fifth Pakistani to reach 16,000 international runs.
For Salman, the Salman Ali Agha century was a triumphant statement after his recall, and a reminder of the match-winning quality he brings to the middle order. If Pakistan are to lift this tri-series trophy, his form could well be the cornerstone of the campaign.