Salman Ali Agha sets Pakistan ODI century record in win over Sri Lanka
Agha’s 107 helped Pakistan make 305 in the tri-series opener at Rawalpindi before Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed and Pakistan won by 37 runs.
Salman Ali Agha scored 107 as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the ODI tri-series opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18. His innings helped Pakistan reach 305, and, according to The Times of India, gave him more ODI centuries from No. 5 or lower than any other Pakistan batter.
Agha passes Mohammad Yousuf’s Pakistan mark
Agha made his runs from 90 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six. It was his fourth century in 54 ODIs for Pakistan, with all four scored while batting at No. 5 or lower, The Times of India reported. Mohammad Yousuf had held the national mark with three centuries from those positions.
The record is a Pakistan mark, not the overall ODI record. The Times of India reported that India’s MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh each finished with seven centuries from No. 5 or lower, compared with Agha’s four. The distinction matters because a comparison with those batters does not put Agha level with their totals.
How Pakistan defended 305 at Rawalpindi
Pakistan were all out for 305 in 49.5 overs. Dawn reported that Babar Azam and Saad Baig added 74 for the third wicket after openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub fell to Dilshan Madushanka. Agha was dismissed at 279 for six, caught by Dasun Shanaka at long-on. Sri Lanka then took five wickets and conceded 36 runs in the final five overs, with Eshan Malinga finishing with four for 46.
Sri Lanka recovered in the chase through a 119-run stand between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage. Rathnayake reached his maiden ODI half-century, and Dawn reported that Sri Lanka needed 53 runs when the partnership ended. Dew had made the outfield slick and limited Pakistan’s ability to get reverse swing from the older ball, according to Dawn.
Liyanage chipped Haris Rauf to Babar at long-on. Four balls later, Shanaka was caught by Babar at the same position off Shaheen Shah Afridi. Naseem Shah then had Sachindu Colombage caught behind, Eshan Malinga was run out, and Rauf bowled Asitha Fernando to finish the 37-run win. The late wickets turned a chase that had been within reach into a defeat for Sri Lanka.
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Sources and context
- Salman Ali Agha joins elite list featuring MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh with record ODI featThe Times of India (TOI; staff-edited report, by Pranav Shukla / TIMESOFINDIA.COM)
- Two moments of madness cost Sri Lanka as Pakistan win tri-series opener after Salman Ali Agha centuryDawn Sport; report includes AFP photo credits, not an AFP text byline
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.