Match Details

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Match, ODI Tri-Series 2026

  • Date: Sunday 18 October 2026 (day/night)
  • Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
  • Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field
  • Result: Pakistan won by 37 runs
  • Player of the Match: Salman Agha

Pakistan began their home ODI tri-series with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Salman Agha's 107 off 90 balls at the heart of a total of 305 that Sri Lanka never quite ran down. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs, the last five wickets falling for 58 as Pakistan closed out the win under lights.

The result puts Pakistan on two points at the top of the tri-series table before England begin their campaign against them on Tuesday.

Pakistan's Innings: 305 All Out

Kusal Mendis's decision to bowl first looked sound while Dilshan Madushanka removed both openers inside six overs, Saim Ayub falling for 7 and Fakhar Zaman for 16 to leave Pakistan 32 for 2. Babar Azam (45 off 57) and debutant wicketkeeper Saad Baig (39 off 40) rebuilt with a third-wicket stand of 74, but Eshan Malinga broke the partnership and added the wicket of Baig soon after, and Pakistan were 118 for 4 in the 22nd over.

It was from there that Agha took control. He and Hasan Nawaz (37) added 97 for the fifth wicket in under 16 overs, converting an uncertain platform into a launching pad, before Agha and Arafat Minhas (18 off 15) took 64 more in quick time. Malinga (4 for 46 from 9.5 overs) and Asitha Fernando (3 for 59) then clawed back four wickets for 14 late in the piece, but Shaheen Afridi's unbeaten 13 pushed Pakistan past 300, all out for 305 with a ball unused.

Salman Agha's Match-Winning Century

Agha arrived at 106 for 3 in the 20th over, reached fifty off 48 balls and then accelerated sharply, his hundred coming off just 82 deliveries. He finished with 107 from 90, ten fours and a six, falling caught off Asitha Fernando in the 47th over with the innings all but complete.

For a player recently stood down as Pakistan's T20I captain, it was a pointed response, and the Player of the Match award followed. His influence did not end with the bat: Agha held the catch that dismissed Pavan Rathnayake at the decisive moment of Sri Lanka's chase.

Sri Lanka's Chase: 268 All Out

Needing 306, Sri Lanka lost Avishka Fernando (5) and Kusal Mendis (18) early, and when Kamindu Mendis's measured 44 off 50 ended in the 18th over and Sahan Arachchige followed at 91 for 4, the chase was wobbling.

Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage then stitched together the stand that kept Sri Lanka alive: 119 for the fifth wicket in under 18 overs. Rathnayake's 79 off 74 balls, with six fours and two sixes, was the innings of the chase, and when the pair took Sri Lanka to 210 early in the 38th over, 96 were needed from 76 with both set.

Faheem Ashraf's removal of Rathnayake, caught by Agha, changed the shape of the evening. Dasun Shanaka gave the innings a flicker with 28 off 18, but Shaheen Afridi had him caught by Babar Azam, and two wickets fell in successive balls in the 46th over. From Rathnayake's dismissal, the last five wickets added 58 as Sri Lanka closed on 268.

Pakistan's Bowling Performance

Shaheen Afridi led the way with 3 for 55, dismissing Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige and Shanaka. Naseem Shah's 2 for 43 came at just 4.3 an over, Haris Rauf took 2 for 48 including the wicket that ended Liyanage's resistance, and Faheem Ashraf's 2 for 49 accounted for Kusal Mendis and Rathnayake, on top of two catches in the deep. Arafat Minhas and Saim Ayub shared the remaining overs.

Turning Points

  • Malinga's double strike left Pakistan 118 for 4, but the 97-run stand between Agha and Nawaz swung the momentum decisively back the hosts' way.
  • Sri Lanka needed 96 from 76 balls with two set batters at 210 for 4 in the 37th over; Faheem Ashraf and Agha combined to remove Rathnayake, and the last five wickets fell for 58.
  • Shanaka's 18-ball 28 briefly asked a question of Pakistan; his dismissal in the 45th over, with 50 still needed off 34 balls, ended the realistic pursuit.

Player of the Match

Salman Agha was named Player of the Match for his 107 off 90 balls, the innings that anchored Pakistan's 305. With his catch to remove Rathnayake, he also had a hand in the chase's pivotal moment.

ODI Tri-Series Standings and Next Match

Pakistan top the three-team table with two points; Sri Lanka have none. Pakistan next face England on Tuesday 20 October at Rawalpindi, England's first outing of the tour — you can read the Pakistan vs England 2nd ODI preview here. The tri-series continues at Rawalpindi on 22 October before moving to Lahore, with the final at Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October.

Full Scorecard

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