Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat's batting heroics proved decisive as Pakistan claimed a thrilling six-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first match of their ODI series. 

Agha plundered 105 from 87 deliveries while Talat's maiden half-century in the format upstaged Wanindu Hasaranga's late show with the bat at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.  

Pakistan did, however, stumble out of the blocks as Saim Ayub (six) and Fakhar Zaman (32) fell early on as the hosts registered just 28 runs inside the opening powerplay. 

Muhammad Rizwan (five) and Babar Azam (29) quickly followed as Hasaranga ripped through their opening order, ending the innings with figures of 3-54. 

But Agha and Talat helped revive Pakistan, with their 138-run fifth-wicket stand at 95-4 helping them to 233-5 with six overs left, handing them a score of 300 for victory. 

Sri Lanka were aiming to achieve the second-highest successful chase at the Rawalpindi Stadium, and started strongly with Pathum Nissanka (29) and Kamil Mishara (38). 

However, Haris Rauf's fiery spell turned the tide for Pakistan, taking the wickets of the first four Sri Lanka bowlers before Charith Asalanka aimed to spark a comeback. 

But Mohammad Nawaz's timely breakthrough tightened Pakistan's grip late in the game, and while Hasaranga's 59 from 52 balls offered hope, it wasn't enough for the tourists. 

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, 2025

Data Debrief: Talat hits back at Pakistan critics

Coming into the game, Talat's place in the Pakistan side had come under increasing scrutiny of late, with his last six innings in ODIs leading up to this game seeing him score 107 runs with the highest knock being 41. 

Indeed, he posted his highest score in the format, doing so by hitting six fours and one maximum at a strike rate of 98.41, but he was not the only batter who played a starring role in the victory. 

Agha's knock was just his second ODI century. Despite playing just one match against Sri Lanka in the format, he has only registered more runs against New Zealand (441) and South Africa (433) in ODIs.