RAWALPINDI: Salman Agha marked his return to international cricket with a commanding century, guiding Pakistan to 305 in the opening match of the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
The 32-year-old compiled a 90-ball 107, featuring ten fours and a six, to anchor the innings after Pakistan were invited to bat on a lively surface. The hosts were eventually bowled out in 49.5 overs.
The knock represented a significant turnaround for Agha, who had endured a difficult period recently, including being sent home prior to the third Test in England last August after captaining the side in the series opener.
Agha brought up his fourth ODI hundred with consecutive boundaries off Asitha Fernando, though he fell to the same bowler in the 47th over. He constructed crucial partnerships of 97 for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (37) and 64 for the sixth with Arafat Minhas (18) to steer the recovery.
Earlier, left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka gave Sri Lanka an ideal start, removing openers Saim Ayub (7) and Fakhar Zaman (16). Debutant Saad Baig then injected momentum with a brisk 39 off 40 balls, adding 74 runs alongside Babar Azam (45) before fast bowler Eshan Malinga dismissed both batters in successive overs to stall the progress.
Malinga finished as the pick of the Sri Lankan attack with a career-best 4 for 46, while Fernando claimed 3 for 59. England complete the three-nation tournament lineup.
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