Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 18 October 2026. Salman Agha was player of the match after his 107 off 90 balls lifted Pakistan to 305, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs.
How It Unfolded
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first. Salman Agha anchored the Pakistan innings with 107 off 90 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six. Babar Azam made 45 off 57 balls, Saad Baig added 39 off 40 and Hasan Nawaz 37 off 49, while Arafat Minhas struck 18 off 15 late on. Fakhar Zaman fell for 16.
Eshan Malinga was Sri Lanka's best bowler with 4/46 from 9.5 overs. Asitha Fernando took 3/59 and Dilshan Madushanka 2/67.
Chasing 306, Sri Lanka were kept in the hunt by Pavan Rathnayake, who made 79 off 74 balls with six fours and two sixes. Janith Liyanage scored 60 off 74 and Kamindu Mendis 44 off 50, and Dasun Shanaka hit 28 off 18. Kusal Mendis managed 18 off 34.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led the Pakistan attack with 3/55 from his 10 overs. Naseem Shah took 2/43, Haris Rauf 2/48 and Faheem Ashraf 2/49 as Sri Lanka fell 37 runs short.
The Oracle's Call
The CricMind Oracle locked Pakistan as favourites before the toss, at 71% against 29% for Sri Lanka, and the call was correct. Home advantage and a higher rating, Pakistan at sixth and Sri Lanka at seventh, drove the pick. Read the full Oracle call for every factor.
What's Next
The result puts Pakistan on 2 in the tri-series standings, with Sri Lanka on 0 after the opening match. Follow the rest of the event on the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series hub.
Source: Scorecard and the Oracle call.