Pakistan began the ODI tri-series with a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2026, after Salman Ali Agha’s century helped the hosts post 305 all out. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 268 in 48.1 overs while chasing 306, despite a strong fifth-wicket partnership between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage. Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf took two wickets each. The result gave Pakistan a winning start to the three-team tournament featuring England and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Result and Match Summary
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the ODI tri-series on October 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After Sri Lanka chose to field, Pakistan recovered from losing both openers early and reached 305 before being bowled out in 49.5 overs. Sri Lanka stayed in the contest through a 119-run fifth-wicket partnership, but Pakistan’s bowlers removed the remaining batters before the target could be reached.
| Match detail | Result |
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI |
| Date | October 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Pakistan | 305 all out in 49.5 overs |
| Sri Lanka | 268 all out in 48.1 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 37 runs |
| Player of the Match | Salman Ali Agha |
Pakistan’s First-Innings Total and Sri Lanka’s Chase
Pakistan scored 305 in 49.5 overs, setting Sri Lanka a target of 306. Sri Lanka reached 268 before being bowled out in 48.1 overs, leaving Pakistan with a 37-run win. Rathnayake and Liyanage brought the visitors back into contention, but Pakistan took wickets at crucial moments to prevent a successful chase.
Match Venue, Date and Player of the Match
The match took place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, 2026. Salman Ali Agha earned Player of the Match honours after scoring 107 from 90 balls, an innings that helped Pakistan recover from early wickets and build a total their bowlers could defend.
Salman Ali Agha’s Match-Winning Century for Pakistan
Salman Ali Agha produced the standout batting performance of the match, scoring 107 from 90 deliveries as Pakistan recovered from losing both openers early. His innings included 10 fours and one six, helping the hosts move beyond a difficult start and put together a competitive total. Agha found support from Babar Azam, Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz, whose contributions helped Pakistan maintain progress through the middle overs. Although Sri Lanka took wickets towards the end and restricted Pakistan’s late scoring, Agha’s century gave the hosts a total of 305. Pakistan’s bowlers then completed the job by dismissing all 10 Sri Lankan batters.
How Salman Ali Agha Rebuilt the Pakistan Innings
Agha scored 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six, to record his fourth ODI century. After Pakistan lost both openers, he helped stabilise the innings and keep the scoring moving through the middle overs. His century became the foundation of Pakistan’s total, even though Sri Lanka claimed late wickets to finish the innings in 49.5 overs.
Babar Azam and Pakistan’s Supporting Contributions
Babar Azam scored 45 from 57 balls, while debutant Saad Baig added 39 from 40 deliveries and Hasan Nawaz contributed 37. These innings gave Pakistan valuable support around Agha’s century, helping the hosts recover after losing both openers and build a total above 300.
Pakistan’s Batting Recovery After Early Wickets
Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub early, leaving the hosts at 32 for two and giving Sri Lanka an opportunity to control the innings. Babar Azam and Saad Baig helped steady the batting, while Agha’s century ensured that Pakistan continued to score at a useful rate. Hasan Nawaz also made 37, adding to the contributions that took the total beyond 300. Sri Lanka’s bowlers still made an impact late in the innings, taking wickets as Pakistan finished on 305 all out in 49.5 overs.
Early Pressure from Sri Lanka’s New-Ball Bowlers
Dilshan Madushanka removed both Pakistan openers, dismissing Fakhar Zaman for 16 and Saim Ayub for seven. The early wickets put pressure on Pakistan, but Sri Lanka needed to maintain that control through the middle overs. Babar, Baig and Agha helped Pakistan rebuild instead of allowing the early breakthroughs to decide the innings.
The Partnerships That Took Pakistan Past 300
Babar’s 45, Baig’s 39 and Hasan Nawaz’s 37 supported Agha as Pakistan recovered from the early dismissals. The middle order helped the hosts regain control and build a challenging total, although Sri Lanka struck back towards the end. Pakistan’s final score of 305 gave the bowlers a target they could defend with timely wickets.
Sri Lanka’s Chase — Rathnayake and Liyanage Fight Back
Sri Lanka’s chase began to struggle when Pakistan’s bowlers reduced them to 91 for four. Kamindu Mendis scored 44, but the visitors needed a substantial partnership to keep pace with the target of 306. Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage provided that response, adding 119 runs for the fifth wicket and bringing Sri Lanka back into contention. Rathnayake scored 79 from 74 balls, while Liyanage made 60 from 74 deliveries. Their stand gave Sri Lanka a realistic chance, but Faheem Ashraf dismissed Rathnayake when the visitors still required 96 runs from the final 13 overs. Pakistan then took five wickets for 15 runs, ending the chase at 268 in 48.1 overs.
Pavan Rathnayake’s 79 Kept Sri Lanka in the Contest
Rathnayake scored 79 from 74 deliveries, hitting six fours and two sixes. His innings helped rebuild Sri Lanka’s chase after the early loss of wickets and maintained pressure on Pakistan. The fifth-wicket partnership with Liyanage kept the visitors in the match, but Rathnayake’s dismissal at 210 shifted the momentum back towards the hosts.
Janith Liyanage’s 60 and the Fifth-Wicket Partnership
Liyanage scored 60 from 74 balls and shared a 119-run stand with Rathnayake for the fifth wicket. The partnership revived Sri Lanka’s chances after they slipped to 91 for four, but Pakistan broke through when Rathnayake was dismissed at 210. Liyanage followed at 253, and Sri Lanka could not recover from the loss of both set batters.
Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan’s Bowling Attack Seal the Win
Pakistan’s pace attack defended the target by taking all 10 Sri Lankan wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed three wickets for 55 runs, while Naseem Shah took two for 43, Haris Rauf returned two for 48, and Faheem Ashraf finished with two for 49. The bowlers made an early impact by reducing Sri Lanka to 91 for four before Rathnayake and Liyanage rebuilt the chase. Faheem’s dismissal of Rathnayake ended the fifth-wicket stand, and Pakistan quickly took control again. The hosts then removed the lower order before Sri Lanka could reach the target, completing a 37-run win.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Three-Wicket Performance
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets for 55 runs in 10 overs. He dismissed Kamindu Mendis and Sahan Arachchige during Sri Lanka’s early difficulties, helping Pakistan reduce the visitors to 91 for four. His spell was important in limiting Sri Lanka’s progress and supporting the pace attack’s successful defence of 305.
Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf’s Support
Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf each claimed two wickets, backing up Shaheen’s three-wicket haul. Naseem provided the opening breakthrough by dismissing Avishka Fernando, while Faheem removed Kusal Mendis and later broke the Rathnayake-Liyanage partnership. Their contributions helped Pakistan dismiss Sri Lanka for 268 in 48.1 overs.
Sri Lanka Bowling Performance and Missed Opportunities
Sri Lanka’s bowlers took wickets at important stages, but they could not prevent Pakistan from reaching 305. Eshan Malinga claimed four wickets for 46 runs, while Asitha Fernando took three for 59 and Dilshan Madushanka removed two batters. Madushanka’s early breakthroughs put Pakistan under pressure, but Agha’s century and the supporting contributions from Babar, Baig and Hasan Nawaz helped the hosts recover. Sri Lanka also took wickets late in the innings, yet Pakistan had already built a total that proved difficult to chase.
Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando Lead the Attack
Eshan Malinga finished with four wickets for 46 runs, the best figures among Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Asitha Fernando took three for 59, while Madushanka claimed two wickets. Their efforts repeatedly broke Pakistan’s partnerships, but Agha’s 107 and the contributions around him kept the hosts moving towards a total above 300.
Why Sri Lanka Could Not Defend Their Bowling Gains
Sri Lanka made an excellent start by dismissing both openers, and Malinga’s four-wicket haul helped restrict Pakistan late in the innings. However, Agha’s century and the support from the middle order prevented the visitors from keeping the total low. Pakistan’s 305 left Sri Lanka needing a demanding chase, and the loss of wickets after the fifth-wicket stand ended made the target increasingly difficult to reach.
Turning Points That Decided Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI
Three phases shaped the result: Pakistan’s recovery after losing both openers, Sri Lanka’s fifth-wicket partnership and Pakistan’s response after breaking that stand. Agha’s century gave the hosts a competitive total despite the early pressure from Madushanka and the wickets taken later by Malinga and Fernando. Sri Lanka then recovered from 91 for four through Rathnayake and Liyanage, but their partnership ended with Rathnayake’s dismissal at 210. Pakistan followed that breakthrough by removing Liyanage and the lower order, turning a close contest into a 37-run victory.
Agha’s Century Shifted the First-Innings Momentum
Agha’s 107 from 90 balls helped Pakistan recover from 32 for two and build a total of 305. His innings, supported by Babar Azam, Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz, gave Pakistan enough runs to put Sri Lanka under pressure. The bowlers then defended that total by taking wickets at key moments.
The Dismissal of Rathnayake Ended Sri Lanka’s Best Stand
Rathnayake’s dismissal at 210 ended the 119-run fifth-wicket partnership and proved a key moment in the chase. Sri Lanka still needed 96 runs from the final 13 overs, but the loss of Rathnayake was followed by Liyanage’s dismissal at 253. Pakistan then took five wickets for 15 runs to finish the match.
What Pakistan’s Win Means for the ODI Tri-Series
Pakistan opened the tri-series with a win over Sri Lanka and followed it with an 87-run victory over England on October 20. The second result gave Pakistan two wins from two matches and strengthened its early position in the three-team competition. Sri Lanka and England are scheduled to meet in Rawalpindi on October 22, before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining group matches. The top two teams will qualify for the final on October 31, so Pakistan’s opening victories put it in a strong position but do not settle qualification.
Pakistan’s Next Match Against England
Pakistan’s next scheduled match is against England on October 25 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The teams have already met once in the tournament, with Pakistan winning by 87 runs on October 20 in Rawalpindi. Pakistan will look to maintain its winning run as the group stage continues.
Sri Lanka’s Response Before the Next Fixture
Sri Lanka are scheduled to face England on October 22 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After their defeat to Pakistan, Sri Lanka will need to turn promising batting partnerships into a stronger overall chase and find ways to limit the opposition’s middle-order scoring. The match offers an early opportunity to respond before the remaining fixtures in Lahore.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI Result
Who won the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI?
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs on October 18, 2026.
What was Pakistan’s score?
Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs.
What was Sri Lanka’s final score?
Sri Lanka scored 268 all out in 48.1 overs.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s 37-run win over Sri Lanka came from a strong recovery with the bat and timely breakthroughs with the ball. Salman Ali Agha’s century helped the hosts post 305, while the pace attack stopped Sri Lanka from completing the chase despite the partnership between Rathnayake and Liyanage. Shaheen Afridi led the bowling effort with three wickets, supported by Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf. The victory gave Pakistan a positive start to the ODI tri-series, followed by another win against England.
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