Sri Lankan bowlers showcased their dominance in the first One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan, restricting the host team to a score of 119-4 after 30 overs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Sri Lanka bowlers maintained consistent pressure from the outset, not allowing Pakistani batters to score freely.
Saim Ayub (6 off 14) was the first one to be removed by Asitha Fernando, leaving Pakistan 14-1. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman tried to stabilise the innings, but scoring remained difficult, with Pakistan reaching just 28-1 at the end of the first powerplay.
The pair took the score to 68 before Wanindu Hasaranga broke through, removing Fakhar for 32. The leg-spinner then struck again, dismissing Muhammad Rizwan (5) and Babar (29) in quick succession, leaving Pakistan four down for less than 100 runs.
Salman Ali Agha (29) and Hussain Talat (11) are at the crease as Pakistan reach 119-4 in 30 overs.
The ODI series will be followed by a tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe starting from November.
The two teams last faced each other in an ODI bilateral series in 2019, which Pakistan won 2-0.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando.
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