Sent Home, Stripped Of Captaincy: Pakistan Star Smashes Statement Century vs Sri Lanka

This was Salman Ali Agha's fourth ODI century since the start of 2025.© AFP

Former Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha smashed a century to power Pakistan to 305/8 against Sri Lanka in their ODI tri-series opener in Rawalpindi. Agha, who was recently stripped of the T20I captaincy, slammed 107 off just 90 balls to lead Pakistan's charge in an otherwise disappointing batting display. Salman was replaced as Pakistan's T20I captain by Sahibzada Farhan earlier this month after the opening batter led the side to a silver medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Before losing his place in the T20I side, Agha returned to Pakistan's domestic circuit, where he scored a triple century as well as 145 for Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy in the President's Trophy Grade-I tournament.

This was his fourth ODI century since the start of 2025, making him the only Pakistan batter to hit multiple tons in that period.

The 32-year-old had a miserable last three months. He was sent home ahead of the third Test in England in August after leading the team in the first match.

Agha hit two consecutive boundaries off pacer Asitha Fernando to complete his fourth one-day international hundred, finally falling to the same bowler in the 47th over.

He added 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (37) and another 64 for the sixth with Arafat Minhas, who made 18.

Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka had jolted Pakistan with the wickets of openers Saim Ayub (seven) and Fakhar Zaman (16).

Debutant Saad Baig scored a brisk 40-ball 39 with two sixes and three fours.

Along with Babar Azam (45) they lifted the score during their 74-run stand.

Fast bowler Eshan Malinga dismissed both in successive overs to halt Pakistan's progress before Agha came into his own.

Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers with a career-best 4-46 while Fernando took 3-59.

England are the third team in the tri-series.

(With AFP Inputs)

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