Pakistan bats first; survives late fightback to take 1-0 lead in series.
Match Details
At the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 November 2025, Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka in the first of a three-match ODI series. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, betting on the early batsmen to exploit batting conditions first. Pakistan, under pressure after early losses, needed a strong display, and they delivered just enough to go ahead in the series.
Pakistan Innings
Pakistan’s innings was a blend of patience and aggression. A strong knock by Salman Ali Agha was the backbone; his unbeaten 105 off 87 balls anchored the side after early hiccups.
Hussain Talat chipped in with 62, giving the innings momentum when Pakistan needed it most. Despite losing some middle-order wickets, Pakistan posted a robust 299 for 5 in 50 overs. A total that looked defendable but wasn’t safe, seeing Sri Lanka’s batting depth.
Sri Lanka Innings
Sri Lanka responded with intent. Wanindu Hasaranga stood out with a fighting 59 off 52, and the team kept chipping away at runs. At one stage, the chase looked well within reach.
The final overs became intense as wickets fell at regular intervals, and Sri Lanka couldn’t reach the total. They ended up reaching the total of 293 for 9 in their 50 overs, falling short by just 6 runs.
The Takeaway
This was a nail-biter. Pakistan will feel a sense of relief as both batters and bowlers remained composed under pressure. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will rue the missed opportunities in the closing stages. In such a close game, the margins were tiny: a couple of dropped chances, not quite enough rotation of strike by the chasing side, and some tense dot-ball spells.
With this win, Pakistan goes up 1-0 in the series, setting the tone for the next two games. Sri Lanka will be looking to bounce back swiftly in the second ODI, while Pakistan aims to build on this momentum and close out the series on home soil.
Salman Agha’s unbeaten century aided Pakistan’s comeback in the first ODI in Rawalpindi 👌#PAKvSL 📝: https://t.co/EXyJRfYR8D pic.twitter.com/jp1DlgjVBP
— ICC (@ICC) November 11, 2025