Pakistan claimed a dramatic six-run victory against Sri Lanka in the first One Day International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The home team defended their 300-run target through disciplined bowling during the match’s final overs.
Sri Lanka mounted a determined chase but finished at 293-9 from their allotted fifty overs. The visitors remained competitive until the final deliveries but ultimately fell short of their target.
All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as Sri Lanka’s top scorer with a spirited 59 runs from 52 deliveries. His dismissal in the penultimate over effectively decided the match outcome, with Sri Lanka requiring 21 runs from nine balls at that stage.
Several Sri Lankan batsmen established promising starts but failed to convert them into match-winning contributions. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 39 runs, while debutant Kamil Mishara added 38. Captain Charith Asalanka contributed 32 runs to the total effort.
Winning start to the series for Pakistan! 💪
An impactful spell from @HarisRauf14 and a crucial penultimate over by @iNaseemShah seal a six-run win 🇵🇰#PAKvSL | #JeetKaScene | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/WZhQwaCsdl
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 11, 2025Fast bowler Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s bowling effort with an impressive four-wicket haul. His figures of 4-49 from ten overs included crucial breakthroughs during the middle and death overs. Supporting bowlers Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah each claimed two wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz contributed one dismissal. The collective bowling performance maintained pressure throughout Sri Lanka’s innings.
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Earlier, Pakistan posted 299-5 after being invited to bat first. The innings foundation was established through a 138-run fifth-wicket partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat.
Pakistan encountered early difficulties at 95-4 before the recovery partnership transformed the innings. Talat scored a fluent 62 from 63 deliveries before departing to Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling. Salman Ali Agha remained unbeaten with 105 runs from 87 deliveries, recording his maiden ODI century. His innings featured nine boundaries, demonstrating exceptional strike rotation throughout.
𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝! ⚡
Naseem Shah with the crucial wicket ☄️
📺 Watch live in the UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM #PAKvSL | #JeetKaScene | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/9PIBY0xoFj
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 11, 2025Mohammad Nawaz provided valuable late innings momentum with an unbeaten 36 from just 23 deliveries. His aggressive cameo included five boundaries and one six, pushing Pakistan toward their competitive total.
Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga proved the most successful bowler for the visitors, claiming three wickets for 54 runs. Theekshana and Asitha Fernando each secured one wicket during their bowling spells. The victory provides Pakistan with early momentum in the three-match ODI series. Both teams now prepare for the second match scheduled at the same venue later this week.
