Source: Cricbuzz

Karachi, Pakistan – The National Bank Stadium in Karachi witnessed a pulsating start to the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2025, as the hosts, Pakistan, clawed their way to a dramatic six-run victory over a resilient Sri Lankan side in the series opener. A majestic century from Salman Agha and a scintillating four-wicket haul from fast bowler Haris Rauf proved to be the decisive factors in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery.

Agha’s Masterclass: A Century Under Pressure

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan’s innings was a tale of consolidation and calculated aggression, primarily orchestrated by the elegant Salman Agha. While the top order showed glimpses of promise, it was Agha who truly anchored the innings, displaying remarkable temperament and an expansive range of strokes.

Early Jitters and Rebuilding

Pakistan’s start was somewhat tentative. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq began cautiously, but the Sri Lankan new-ball bowlers, led by the astute Dasun Shanaka, quickly found their rhythm. Shanaka himself drew first blood, dismissing Fakhar Zaman with a cunning change of pace. Soon after, Imam-ul-Haq fell victim to a sharp inswinger, leaving Pakistan reeling slightly at 50 for 2 within the first powerplay.

It was at this juncture that Agha joined skipper Babar Azam in the middle. The duo embarked on a crucial partnership, steadying the ship and gradually shifting the momentum. Babar, in his characteristic style, played the perfect foil, rotating the strike and finding boundaries when loose deliveries presented themselves. Their understanding was evident, as they converted singles into twos and punished anything wide or short.

Salman Agha Comes of Age

As Babar Azam departed after a well-made 60, Agha took center stage. He accelerated his scoring, unfurling a series of exquisite drives through the covers and powerful pulls to the mid-wicket boundary. His footwork against the spinners was impeccable, often stepping out to convert good lengths into scoring opportunities. The pressure of the early wickets seemed to fuel his resolve, and he grew in confidence with every boundary.

The moment of his century was met with a thunderous roar from the Karachi crowd. Agha brought up his maiden ODI hundred with a delightful flick off his pads, celebrating with a mixture of relief and pure joy. His innings, ultimately finishing at 108 off 105 deliveries, was not just about the runs but the context – it lifted Pakistan from a precarious position to a competitive total of 285 all out in 49.3 overs, giving their bowlers something substantial to defend.

Contributions from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed in the lower middle order also proved vital, adding quick runs in the death overs to boost Pakistan’s overall score.

Sri Lanka’s Gallant Chase: A Test of Nerves

Chasing 286, Sri Lanka’s innings was a testament to their fighting spirit, pushing Pakistan to the absolute limit. Their top order, despite losing an early wicket, showed intent and built several promising partnerships that kept the required run rate within reach.

Resilient Partnerships

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis started cautiously but effectively. Mendis, in particular, looked in fine touch, playing aggressive shots against both pace and spin. While Nissanka fell after a decent start, Mendis continued his charge, ably supported by Charith Asalanka. Their partnership threatened to take the game away from Pakistan, as they milked the singles and found boundaries with increasing regularity.

Asalanka’s elegant stroke play complemented Mendis’s aggressive approach, and at one point, Sri Lanka seemed to be cruising, needing just over six runs an over with plenty of wickets in hand. The Pakistani fielders started to feel the pressure, and the home crowd grew visibly anxious.

Pakistan’s Bowling Response

Pakistan’s bowling attack, initially struggling to find consistent breakthroughs, knew they needed a game-changer. Spinners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz bowled tight overs in the middle period, attempting to stem the flow of runs and build pressure. However, it was the raw pace and aggression of Haris Rauf that ultimately turned the tide.

Haris Rauf’s Fiery Spell: The Game-Changer

Haris Rauf, often Pakistan’s spearhead in the white-ball format, delivered a spell of sheer brilliance when his team needed it most. Coming back for his second spell, with Sri Lanka well-placed, Rauf unleashed his full arsenal of express pace, Yorkers, and deceptive slower balls.

Crucial Breakthroughs

Rauf first dismissed Kusal Mendis, who was looking dangerous on 78, with a blistering delivery that squared him up and found the edge. This was a critical wicket, breaking a blossoming partnership and injecting belief back into the Pakistani camp. He followed this up with another vital scalp, sending back the set Charith Asalanka (55) with a well-directed bouncer that hurried him into a false shot.

These two quick wickets brought Pakistan roaring back into contention. Rauf wasn’t done yet; he returned in the death overs to dismantle Sri Lanka’s lower middle order, effectively sealing Pakistan’s victory. His ability to hit the perfect length at high pace under immense pressure was a sight to behold.

Finishing with figures of 4 for 52, Haris Rauf’s performance was not just about the wickets, but the timing of those wickets, which fundamentally shifted the momentum of the game when Sri Lanka seemed to be in control. His fiery spells in the middle and death overs broke the back of the Sri Lankan chase.

The Nail-Biting Climax

As the match entered its final five overs, Sri Lanka needed around 40 runs with three wickets in hand. The tension in the stadium was palpable. Every run was cheered, every dot ball met with groans of anticipation. Pakistan’s death bowling, marshaled by Babar Azam, held its nerve.

Despite some courageous hitting from the Sri Lankan tail-enders, Rauf’s final over, combined with a tight spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi, proved too much. The field placements were aggressive, and the bowlers executed their plans to perfection. With just six runs to defend off the final over, Pakistan managed to eke out the win, sparking joyous celebrations among the players and the ecstatic home crowd.

The final margin of six runs underscored the competitive nature of the contest and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat at the international level.

Series Implications and What Lies Ahead

This narrow victory provides Pakistan with invaluable momentum heading into the remainder of the series. It showcases their ability to perform under pressure and highlights the match-winning capabilities of players like Salman Agha and Haris Rauf. For Sri Lanka, while disappointed, their performance demonstrated immense character and resilience. They will take confidence from their chase, knowing that with a few tweaks, they can pose an even greater threat in the upcoming matches.

The series, now 1-0 in favor of Pakistan, promises to be a riveting affair. Cricket fans can expect more thrilling encounters as both teams vie for supremacy in this exciting tour.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on news aggregated from multiple cricket sources. Cricket Mantra provides analysis and insights to cricket fans worldwide.