Pakistan (299/5) secure a narrow 6-run victory over Sri Lanka (293/9) in the series opener

[Aami]

Yeah I thought it was business as usual with Pakistani bowlers getting spanked for 75 in the first PP .

I think they(and Rauf in particular) tightened their lines. Rauf started bowling from wide of the crease to cut out the width being given and it worked.

As far as tactics are concerned, I still think Agha should be captain in ODIs.
They've got that wrong completely by force fitting him into the T20 side and making captain when he's a natural contender for ODI captaincy since he's one of the best players in this format

Totally agree about Agha, he should not be in T20s, how terrible of PCB not to read the script, T20 captain should be leading the ODI side and vice versa.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Yeah I thought it was business as usual with Pakistani bowlers getting spanked for 75 in the first PP .

I think they(and Rauf in particular) tightened their lines. Rauf started bowling from wide of the crease to cut out the width being given and it worked.

As far as tactics are concerned, I still think Agha should be captain in ODIs.
They've got that wrong completely by force fitting him into the T20 side and making captain when he's a natural contender for ODI captaincy since he's one of the best players in this format

Well with Pakistan you don't have to wait long. Sooner or later, everyone gets a chance to be captain. But honestly I don't see this team changing much regardless of whoever is captain. It's a team that is at a certain level, and will likely stay at that level for the forseable future.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten century and Haris Rauf’s fiery four-wicket haul powered Pakistan to a narrow six-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday night. Defending a total of 299, the hosts held their nerve in a tense finish to take a 1-0 lead.

Pakistan’s pace battery, spearheaded by Haris (4-61), accounted for eight of the nine Sri Lankan wickets, with Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah claiming two apiece. Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka during a pivotal phase of the chase.

Wanindu Hasaranga, batting at No.8, top-scored for Sri Lanka with a valiant 59 off 52 balls, laced with seven boundaries. Walking in at 191-6 with 109 needed from 102 balls, he kept the visitors in the hunt until the penultimate over. Hasaranga stitched together key partnerships—19 with Kamindu Mendis, 37 with Dushmantha Chameera, and 32 with Maheesh Theekshana (21* off 18)—before falling to Naseem at long-on in the 49th over.

With 21 required off the final over bowled by Hussain Talat, Theekshana raised hopes with back-to-back boundaries on the third and fourth deliveries. However, he could only manage two more runs as Sri Lanka fell agonizingly short.

Earlier, chasing 300, Sri Lanka’s openers Kamil Mishara (38 off 36) and Pathum Nissanka (29 off 39) gave their side a flying start, adding 85 runs in just 11.5 overs, including 75 in the Powerplay. Haris Rauf then turned the tide, removing Mishara and Kusal Mendis (golden duck) in successive deliveries and later dismissing Nissanka to reduce Sri Lanka to 90-3.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and Asalanka (32) steadied the innings with a gritty 57-run stand, which was broken by a stunning one-handed catch from Babar Azam at slip off Haris. Nawaz then had Asalanka stumped, and Naseem bowled Janith Liyanage (28 off 24) to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 191-6.

Earlier in the day, after being asked to bat, Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early, but Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman added 54 for the second wicket. Hasaranga then ripped through the middle order, removing Fakhar (32), Rizwan, and Babar (28), reducing Pakistan to 95-4.

Salman Ali Agha (105* off 87) and Hussain Talat (62 off 63) rescued the innings with a match-defining 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket. From 96-4 at the halfway mark, Pakistan surged to 299-5, thanks to their counterattacking stand.

The duo accelerated after the 35th over, striking at least one boundary in every over except the 40th and 43rd. Hussain fell in the 44th over, but Nawaz (36* off 23) provided a late flourish, adding an unbeaten 66 with Salman.

Salman brought up his second ODI century in the 48th over, reaching the milestone in 83 balls with two consecutive fours and a single off Chameera. Pakistan plundered 22 runs in the final two overs, finishing with their fourth-highest ODI total at the venue.