Pakistan posts 299 for 5 in strong start against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi ODI

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan made a brilliant start in the first match of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, scoring 299 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field, giving Pakistan’s openers a cautious start. Saim Ayub was dismissed after scoring six, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 32 runs.

Babar Azam made 29 before being bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan managed only five runs.

After the early setbacks, middle-order batsmen Agha Salman and Hussain Talat forged an impressive partnership, adding 138 runs for the fifth wicket. Agha Salman played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 105 off 87 balls, including nine boundaries, while Hussain Talat scored 62 runs off 63 balls.

In the final overs, Mohammad Nawaz smashed a quick 36 off 23 balls, taking Pakistan’s total to 299.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets for 54 runs in 10 overs, while Sithe Fernando and Mahesh Theekshana claimed one wicket each.

Pakistan’s run rate stood at 5.98, with 53 runs scored in the last five overs.