It was a night of nerves, skill, and survival in Rawalpindi. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka turned into a gripping ODI finish that went down to the wire. Salman Agha’s sparkling century and Haris Rauf’s fiery spell powered Pakistan to victory. But Sri Lanka’s late fight, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, kept fans breathless till the end.
Pakistan posted 299 after early stumbles, anchored by Agha’s unbeaten 105 off 83 balls. His partnership with Hussain Talat rebuilt the innings after a poor start. Together, they added 138 runs that completely changed the match’s direction. Nawaz’s cameo ensured Pakistan crossed the psychological 300-mark barrier.
Chasing 300, Sri Lanka started brilliantly through Nissanka and Mishara’s brisk opening stand. But Rauf’s raw pace triggered a collapse from 85 for no loss to 90 for three. Even then, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Asalanka tried to steady the chase again. In the end, Hasaranga’s brave 59 kept the game alive until the final over.
Sri Lanka fell just six runs short despite Theekshana’s daring boundaries at the death. For Pakistan, it was a relief and warning rolled into one. They won, but 26 wides and dropped catches nearly cost them the match. Still, Agha’s brilliance and Rauf’s aggression sealed a crucial series-opening win.
Agha’s Century Anchors Pakistan After A Shaky Start
Pakistan’s innings began uncertainly against sharp Sri Lankan seamers. Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera bowled tight lines in the powerplay. Just 28 runs came in the first ten overs, forcing Babar Azam to rebuild carefully. But then came the defining phase — Agha and Talat’s partnership.
They joined hands at 95 for four, building Pakistan’s innings brick by brick. Agha batted with calm precision, rotating strike and punishing bad balls ruthlessly. Talat offered vital support, striking gaps and stabilizing the middle order. Their chemistry allowed Pakistan to recover without panic or desperation.
Once settled, Agha switched gears in the final overs with fluent shot selection. He used sweeps, drives, and deft touches to dominate the strike. Nawaz joined him later, and together they blasted 104 runs in ten overs. That explosive finish turned a struggling innings into a defendable total.
For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga was once again the brightest spark with the ball. He picked up three key wickets, including Rizwan and Talat, in quick bursts. However, burned DRS reviews and lack of fifth bowling depth hurt them badly. Pakistan ended with momentum, and Agha’s unbeaten 105 stood as their backbone.
Rauf’s Pace Burst Rattles Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka began their chase confidently, reaching 85 for no loss in style. Mishara impressed on debut, while Nissanka looked set for a big innings. But then Haris Rauf exploded with raw energy and pinpoint aggression. Within three overs, he dismantled Sri Lanka’s rhythm completely.
Mishara miscued to mid-off, Mendis chopped on, and Nissanka edged behind soon after. That triple strike transformed the game’s tempo instantly for Pakistan. Rauf’s four-for came with both menace and precision under tense conditions. His spell not only brought wickets but broke Sri Lanka’s momentum entirely.
Even then, Samarawickrama and Asalanka rebuilt patiently through a fifty-plus stand. Their controlled approach restored balance before Shaheen Afridi’s sharp movement created drama again. Babar Azam’s diving slip catch off Sadeera was a turning point moment. It re-energized Pakistan and silenced a confident Sri Lankan dressing room.
Liyanage added urgency later, rotating strike smartly and keeping the rate manageable. But wickets in clusters undid Sri Lanka’s rebuild at critical junctures. Naseem and Faheem bowled tighter lines in the middle overs to maintain pressure. The bowlers, backed by energy in the field, pulled Pakistan through chaos.
Hasaranga’s Heroics Fall Just Short Of A Miracle
Wanindu Hasaranga almost carried Sri Lanka over the line single-handedly. His 52-ball 59 revived the chase after the middle-order collapse. He managed the strike cleverly and trusted tailenders like Theekshana and Chameera. Even under pressure, he maintained composure while executing calculated attacking shots.
Hasaranga’s last-wicket stand nearly scripted one of Sri Lanka’s greatest comebacks. Theekshana’s late boundaries in the final over kept faint hopes alive. But Talat’s nerve with the ball held Pakistan steady amid roaring tension. Hasaranga finally perished trying to clear long-on in search of sixes.
Earlier, he had bowled beautifully, mixing pace, drift, and flight. His three wickets slowed Pakistan’s innings during their mid-phase rebuild. Despite the defeat, Hasaranga once again stood out as Sri Lanka’s brightest performer. His effort embodied resilience, but the team lacked collective finishing discipline this time.
Fielding Lapses, Missed Reviews, And Game-Changing Moments
This ODI wasn’t short of fielding drama or review controversies. Pakistan’s bowlers sprayed 26 wides, many inside the powerplay overs. That extra leakage nearly cost them control early in Sri Lanka’s chase. But they compensated through energy, execution, and smart adjustments from Babar.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, burned both DRS reviews too early. One missed lbw against Talat proved extremely costly later in the innings. Had it been reviewed, it would have hit leg stump directly. That moment alone could’ve changed the course of Pakistan’s innings completely.
Fielding brilliance also shaped critical turning points in both innings. Babar’s slip catch off Shaheen’s delivery electrified the stadium. His anticipation and reaction timing kept Pakistan in control after early frustration. Meanwhile, Agha’s clean running and awareness reflected composure under scoreboard pressure.
Each side had its share of lapses and sparks through the evening. But in the end, Pakistan converted moments better under crunch conditions. Their composure and batting partnerships were the real difference-makers in Rawalpindi. For Sri Lanka, costly errors and lack of composure defined their narrow defeat.
Conclusion
Rawalpindi witnessed an unforgettable contest full of grit, precision, and chaos. Salman Agha’s century and Haris Rauf’s four wickets combined to deliver Pakistan victory. Wanindu Hasaranga fought brilliantly, proving once again his immense all-round value. In the end, Pakistan’s calculated aggression and depth carried them home.
The six-run margin highlighted how fine cricket margins can be. One dropped catch, one mistimed stroke, or one missed review changed everything. Agha’s measured composure under pressure made him Pakistan’s match savior. Rauf’s firepower ensured Sri Lanka never got comfortable during their chase.
For Sri Lanka, the spirit was high, but execution faltered at vital stages. They can take heart from Hasaranga’s batting resilience and bowling spells. For Pakistan, this win sets the tone for the remainder of the series. It shows their middle-order grit and bowling sharpness remain among the best.
If they improve their fielding discipline, Pakistan could easily dominate the next two matches. But if Sri Lanka learns fast, the remaining ODIs could be thrilling once again. For now, the night belongs to Agha, Rauf, and Pakistan — victors of a six-run heart-stopper.
