1st ODI, Pakistan edge past Sri Lanka in thriller: Stats
What's the story
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Rawalpindi. The win was set up by Salman Agha's brilliant century and Haris Rauf's impressive four-wicket haul. Agha scored an unbeaten 105 while Hussain Talat contributed with a solid 62. Mohammad Nawaz also made a quick-fire 36 not out to help Pakistan post a strong total of 299/5. SL managed 293/9 in response despite Wanindu Hasaranga's fighting 59. Here are the key stats.
Match summary
Agha and Talat rescue Pakistan after poor start
Pakistan's innings got off to a slow start with Saim Ayub's early dismissal. Fakhar Zaman tried to ease the pressure but was stumped soon after on 32 off 55. Babar Azam (29 off 51) also threw away his start as the hosts lost four wickets inside 100 runs. Despite these early setbacks, Agha and Talat put together a 137-run partnership that laid the foundation for Pakistan's strong total. As mentioned, Nawaz also contributed with a fiery 23-ball 36*.
Match progression
Rauf's four-fer dented the Lankans
Sri Lanka started their chase on a positive note with openers Pathum Nissanka (29) and Kamil Mishara (38) adding 85 runs for the first wicket. However, Pakistan's Rauf struck thrice in quick succession, as SL were reduced to 90/3 by the end of the 14th over. Rauf also claimed the fourth wicket by dismissing Sadeera Samarawickrama (39), who was building a promising partnership with Charith Asalanka (32).
Final phase
Hasaranga's efforts went in vain
Janith Liyanage counterattacked during his 28-run stay while Asalanka got going after a slow start. Liyanage struck a six off Naseem Shah but was bowled in the same over as Sri Lanka were reduced to 191/6. Hasaranga tried to take the game deep and scored crucial boundaries toward the end. Needing 50 off the last five overs, Hasaranga brought it down to 23 off two overs. However, the visitors eventually fell short as Hasaranga fell in the penultimate over.
Agha
Agha slams an unbeaten 105
Agha, who raced to his century off 83 balls, slammed an unbeaten 105 off 87 balls (9 fours). This was his second century in ODI cricket, as per ESPNcricinfo. He also has eight half-centuries. The Pakistan batter now has 1,357 runs from 45 ODIs at an average of 45.23. Notably, Agha featured in his maiden ODI innings against Sri Lanka. He owns 502 runs in home ODIs this year at 83.66 (SR: 97.85).
Talat
Talat slams his maiden ODI fifty
Talat scored a 63-ball 62, scoring six fours and a six in the process. This was his maiden half-century in ODI cricket. The 29-year-old all-rounder now has 169 runs from eight matches at an average of 28.16. His tally includes a strike rate of 86.66. Overall, Talat recorded his 21st half-century in List A cricket. He also has eight centuries in the overall white-ball format.
Babar
Babar equals this dismal record of Kohli
Babar, who has been going through a rough patch across formats, last scored an international century during the 2023 Asia Cup against Nepal. He has now gone without a three-figure score for 83 innings. This has put him on par with Indian superstar Virat Kohli in terms of the most innings played sans a century in international cricket. Among Asian players, Sanath Jayasuriya leads this list with a similar drought that ended after 87 innings.
Hasaranga
Three wickets for Hasaranga
Three of the first four fallen Pakistan wickets went to Hasaranga, who finished with 3/54 in 10 overs. Since making his ODI debut in 2017, he has featured in 67 matches. The spinner has taken 111 wickets at an average of 23.90. His economy rate in 50-over cricket reads 5.09. Hasaranga has 5 four-wicket hauls and 4 fifers in the format. He now has six wickets across three ODIs against Pakistan.
Rauf
Rauf records his fifth ODI four-fer
Rauf bolstered Pakistan with his spell of 4/61 from 10 overs. Rauf, who made his ODI debut in 2020, has raced to 92 wickets from 52 matches at an average of under 27. As mentioned, he recorded his fifth four-wicket haul in ODI cricket. His tally also includes two fifers. Across 20 home ODIs, the speedster has taken 33 wickets at an average of 27.90. Notably, four of his five four-wicket hauls have come at home.
Hasaranga
Special fifty for Hasaranga
With the bat, Hasaranga made 59 off 52 balls (7 fours). As per ESPNcricinfo, Hasaranga became the second Sri Lankan batter to score an ODI fifty on Pakistan soil while batting at eight or lower. Overall, this was his fifty ODI fifty, and a maiden one against Pakistan across three matches. He has raced to 1,089 runs at an average of 23.17. His strike rate reads 108.46.