Rawalpindi Rollercoaster: Pakistan Edge Sri Lanka by 6 Runs in Nail-Biting ODI Opener

In a Rawalpindi spectacle that had 28,000 fans on the edge of their seats until the final delivery, Pakistan scraped home by six runs against Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of their three-match series on November 11, clinching a 1-0 lead in the opener. Batting first after Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to field, Pakistan recovered from a top-order wobble to post 299 for 5, anchored by Salman Agha’s unbeaten 105 off 87 balls—his second ODI century—and a crucial 138-run stand with Hussain Talat (62). Sri Lanka’s chase of 300 was a thriller, reaching 293 for 9 as Wanindu Hasaranga’s valiant 59 off 40 nearly pulled off a heist, but Haris Rauf’s fiery 4 for 61 and Hussain Talat’s composure in the last over sealed the deal. This pulsating win marks Pakistan’s fourth straight bilateral ODI series victory over Sri Lanka and gives new ODI skipper Shaheen Afridi a dream start in his second assignment.

The day-night clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, under a balmy November evening sky transitioning to floodlit drama, encapsulated the rivalry’s intensity—Pakistan’s resilience against Sri Lanka’s all-round fight. The pitch, a flat belter with true bounce and short boundaries, favored batsmen, but the dew factor post-30 overs aided the chase, making the target deceptive. Asalanka’s decision to bowl first banked on early seam, but Pakistan’s middle order capitalized. For Pakistan, the victory—despite 26 wides and two drops—was a testament to depth; for Sri Lanka, heartbreak after a spirited pursuit, their ninth loss in 10 away bilateral ODIs post-2019 World Cup. As fireworks erupted and the Rawalpindi roar echoed, the series now heads to the 2nd ODI on November 14, with Sri Lanka desperate for redemption.

Afridi’s XI blended experience and youth: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Zeeshan Zameer. Agha’s promotion to No. 4 over Mohammad Haris added stability, Abrar’s leg-spin the wildcard on a turning track. Sri Lanka, under Asalanka, fielded: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, and Asitha Fernando. Mishara’s debut over Avishka Fernando brought fresh legs, Hasaranga’s all-round threat the X-factor.

Umpires Alex Wharf and Asif Yaqoob called play at 2:30 PM local time, Ayub and Fakhar facing Chameera’s probing lines amid a partisan crowd.

Pakistan’s innings began sluggishly, the top order grappling with Sri Lanka’s seam movement under overcast skies. Ayub clipped Chameera through midwicket for four in the third over, his footwork crisp, but Fernando struck in the eighth: his inswinger trapped Ayub lbw for 18 off 28 — 32 for 1. Fakhar joined Babar, and caution reigned: Fakhar nurgling Theekshana through point, Babar’s defensive prod off Hasaranga. Their 45-run stand off 68 balls pushed to 77 for 1 at drinks, but Hasaranga’s leg-break deceived Fakhar—bowled for 22 off 41, the ball spinning past the edge — 77 for 2 in the 22nd.

Agha arrived at No. 4, his promotion paying dividends. He flicked Fernando off his pads for four, rotating with Babar amid dots. But Chameera’s bouncer hurried Babar—top-edged to Mishara for 28 off 52 — 95 for 3 in the 26th. Talat joined Agha, and the duo ignited: Talat’s lofted cover drive off Theekshana for six, Agha’s swept four off Hasaranga. Their 138-run stand off 138 balls was the game’s pivot—Agha reaching fifty off 62 balls with a pulled boundary off Fernando, Talat his maiden ODI fifty off 78 with a straight drive off Chameera. At 233 for 3 by the 42nd, Pakistan eyed 320, but Hasaranga struck twice: Talat stumped off a wide leg-break for 62 off 92 — 233 for 4, Rizwan bowled by a quicker one for 0 — 233 for 5.

Nawaz (36* off 32) and Agha rallied: Agha’s slog-swept six off Theekshana, Nawaz’s flicked four off Chameera. Agha reached his 105* off 87 (9×4, 3×6) with a cover drive off Fernando, but a missed lbw review on Talat at 95 for 4 haunted Sri Lanka. Pakistan closed at 299 for 5, boosted by 26 extras. Sri Lanka’s attack toiled—Hasaranga 3-54, Fernando 1-62—but leaked 5.98 per over; Afridi noted: “Salman’s century was massive; we backed our depth.”

Sri Lanka’s chase was a saga of starts and stumbles, their openers feasting before a middle-order collapse nearly derailed them. Nissanka and Mishara amassed 85 for 0 in 12 overs: Nissanka driving Rauf through covers for four, Mishara’s debut flick off Afridi racing away. The powerplay yielded 70 for 0, but Rauf ignited the collapse: in the 13th, he yorked Mishara for 38 off 42 — 85 for 1. Kusal Mendis scratched 2 before edging Rauf to Rizwan — 87 for 2 in the 14th. Nissanka fell for 45 off 52, bowled by Abrar’s googly — 92 for 3 in the 16th.

Samarawickrama and Asalanka rebuilt: Samarawickrama’s reverse-sweep off Nawaz for four, Asalanka’s lofted six off Zameer. Their 46-run stand off 52 balls pushed to 138 for 3 at drinks, but Zameer’s arm ball trapped Asalanka lbw for 22 off 28 — 138 for 4 in the 28th. Liyanage and Samarawickrama added 53, Liyanage pulling Rauf for six, but Abrar deceived Liyanage—stumped for 28 off 32 — 191 for 5 in the 36th. Kamindu Mendis (22 off 18) and Samarawickrama (39 off 58) fought, but Rauf returned: clean bowling Kamindu — 213 for 6 in the 40th.

Hasaranga’s arrival sparked hope: he smashed Nawaz for two sixes over long-on, racing to 59 off 40 (5×4, 4×6). Partnering Theekshana (21 off 18), they added 55 in 32 balls, Theekshana’s slog-swept six off Afridi. Needing 80 off 21.2 overs, Hasaranga muscled a full toss to Babar at long-on off Talat — 268 for 7 in the 48th. Chameera (0 off 2) and Fernando (0 off 1) scratched, but Theekshana’s two boundaries in the 50th—four and six off Talat—left 7 needed off the last ball. Talat held firm, a dot sealing 293 for 9. Pakistan’s bowlers triumphed: Rauf 4-61, Abrar 2-48. Asalanka rued: “Hasaranga’s 59 deserved more; we were 20 runs short.”

Post-Match Reflections & Series Implications

• Player of the Match: Salman Agha (105* & 1-28)
• Series Lead: Pakistan 1-0; 2nd ODI November 14, Rawalpindi.
• Stats Spotlight: Agha’s 105* his 2nd ODI ton; Rauf’s 4-61 his 50th ODI wicket. Hasaranga’s 59 his highest vs Pakistan.
• Milestone: Pakistan’s 11th win in last 12 ODIs vs SL since 2017 Champions Trophy.

Afridi beamed: “Thriller! Salman’s knock and Haris’ fire won it. Rawalpindi magic.” Hasaranga: “Fought till the end; dew helped, but we choked.”

Upcoming ODIs

• 2nd ODI: Rawalpindi, November 14 (D/N)
• 3rd ODI: Rawalpindi, November 16 (D/N)

Pakistan eye series clinch; Sri Lanka, hosts in hybrid mode, seek fightback. The bilateral summer heats up.