RAWALPINDI: Salman Agha celebrated his return to international cricket with a superb century as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the one-day tri-series on Sunday.
Agha scored 107 off 90 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, to help Pakistan post 305 in 49.5 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with three wickets for 55 runs as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Pavan Rathnayake scored 79 and Janith Liyanage made 60, sharing a 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Sri Lanka lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, Babar Azam contributed 45, while debutant Saad Baig scored 39. Agha built crucial partnerships with Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas to strengthen Pakistan’s total.
Pakistan will face England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday in their second match of the series, which serves as preparation for next year’s 50-over World Cup.
