PAK vs SL, Tri-series: Agha century helps Pakistan secure narrow win

Salman Ali Agha scored a century in his first international appearance since being sent home during Pakistan’s Test tour of England. | Photo Credit: AP

Salman Ali Agha slammed a century on his return to international cricket as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the first match of the tri-series involving the pair and England in Rawalpindi on Sunday, October 18.

Agha was one of the players controversially sent home during Pakistan’s Test series in England after captaining it in the first Test, but after showing strong domestic form, he peeled off a 90-ball 107 with with a six and 10 fours to anchor Pakistan’s 305 in 49.5 overs.

He was involved in fifty partnerships with Hasan Nawaz (97 for the fifth wicket) and Arafat Minhas (64 for the sixth wicket). His knock was supported by hands from debutant Saad Baig (39), Babar Azam (45) and Nawaz (37).

For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga was the pick of the bowlers, claiming career-best figures of four for 46 while Asitha Fernando took three for 59.

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Sri Lanka made a decent start to the chase, with opener Kamindu Mendis cracking a fluent 44, but it lost wickets at regular intervals.

Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60) added 119 for the fifth wicket, but once they fell, Sri Lanka fell away quickly. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with three for 55, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf all struck twice each as the visitor lost its final five wickets for 15 runs.

Pakistan next plays England in the second match on Tuesday, October 18 — also in Rawalpindi.