When the final ball of a nail-biting ODI finished in the hands of Pakistan’s fielder, the roar from the 15,000-strong crowd at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium didn’t just celebrate a win—it exhaled five years of frustration. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs on Tuesday, November 27, 2025, in a match that swung like a pendulum from the first over to the last. Salman Ali Agha didn’t just score a century—he resurrected Pakistan’s fragile batting order with a blistering 105 off 87 balls, turning a shaky 76 for three into a formidable 299 for five. The win wasn’t just about runs; it broke a three-match ODI losing streak against Sri Lanka dating back to the 2023 Asia Cup. And it came on home soil, where Pakistan hasn’t always found its rhythm against the island nation.
From Collapse to Century
Pakistan’s innings looked doomed early. Fakhar Zaman fell for 32, then Mohammad Rizwan—captain and anchor—was out for a shock five. The scoreboard read 76 for three. The crowd fell silent. The Sri Lankan bowlers, led by debutant Kamil Mishara, smelled blood. But then came Agha. Calm. Calculated. Unflinching. He found a partner in Hussain Talat, who played the perfect foil with 62 off 89 balls. Their 138-run stand, built over 127 deliveries, was the spine of Pakistan’s total. No one else crossed 30. But they didn’t need to. Agha carried the burden, hitting 13 fours and six sixes, including a brutal pull off Wanindu Hasaranga that cleared the long-on boundary with room to spare.Sri Lanka’s Charge and Collapse
Sri Lanka answered with fire. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, the 20-year-old debutant, opened with a 85-run stand in just 11.4 overs. It was the kind of start that makes captains dream. But then, Haris Rauf—Pakistan’s pace spearhead—changed everything. A searing inswinger dismissed Kusal Mendis for a golden duck. The next ball, a slower bouncer, had Nissanka edging to slip. Suddenly, Sri Lanka was 90 for three. The momentum had flipped. The stadium, once buzzing with Sri Lankan chants, turned into a wall of Pakistani noise.The Asalanka Stand and the Turning Point
Captain Charith Asalanka, just 26, showed grit. He and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 57, steadying the ship. But the defining moment came when former captain Babar Azam, now fielding at first slip, took a one-handed diving catch to remove Asalanka for 57. The ball had just brushed the edge. It was a catch that looked impossible—until he made it look easy. "He got a rush of blood," said NDTV commentator as Asalanka walked off, shaking his head. That moment didn’t just end a partnership—it shattered Sri Lanka’s belief.Hasaranga’s Heroics and the Final Over Drama
What followed was pure cricket theater. Wanindu Hasaranga, the leg-spinner who doubles as a finisher, played like a man possessed. He smashed 42 off 28 balls, including three sixes in the 48th over. With 18 needed off the final over, the entire stadium held its breath. Maheesh Theekshana, on strike, faced Hussain Talat’s final delivery—a perfectly disguised slower ball. He swung hard. The ball soared… but not far enough. Talat, sprinting from deep midwicket, stretched—but couldn’t reach it. The ball landed just inside the rope. Two runs. Pakistan won by six."They got 2. So Pakistan win by 6 runs. A very close game," said the Dailymotion commentator at 23:49. The irony? Talat had missed a catch two overs earlier that would’ve ended it. Cricket, as always, was cruel and kind in equal measure.
What This Means for the Series
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Pakistan’s last ODI victory over Sri Lanka came in the 2023 Asia Cup. Since then, they’d lost three straight. This time, they did it with a new batting order, a young debutant in the bowling attack, and a captain in Mohammad Rizwan who’s still finding his feet after Babar Azam’s retirement. The Pakistan Cricket Board, headquartered in Lahore, made clear in their post-match statement that this performance "reflects the depth we’ve been building." Head coach Aqib Javed, 51, called it "the most complete team performance since the World Cup."Sri Lanka, meanwhile, showed fight but lacked finishers. Kamil Mishara’s debut was promising but costly—he bowled 8 overs for 56 runs and took one wicket. Captain Asalanka, despite his 57, admitted: "We had it in our hands. We just didn’t close it." Coach Chris Silverwood, 49, acknowledged the pressure: "We’re not far off. But in these tight games, you need that one moment of brilliance. Pakistan had it. We didn’t."
What’s Next?
The second ODI is set for Friday, November 29, 2025, back at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams are expected to stick with near-identical lineups. For Pakistan, the question is whether Agha’s form is sustainable. For Sri Lanka, can they find a fourth bowler who can contain the middle overs? And for fans? This series just got unforgettable.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Salman Ali Agha’s century change the game for Pakistan?
Agha’s 105 off 87 balls rescued Pakistan from 76 for three and turned a likely sub-250 total into a defendable 299. His strike rate of 120.69 was the highest among batters who faced more than 50 balls, and his partnership with Hussain Talat accounted for nearly half of Pakistan’s total. Without it, Pakistan would’ve been bowled out for under 240, making the win impossible.
Why was Haris Rauf’s performance so critical?
Rauf claimed three wickets in a seven-ball spell that broke Sri Lanka’s opening momentum. His dismissal of Kusal Mendis for a golden duck and the quick removal of Nissanka shifted the match’s psychological balance. He finished with 3 for 42 in 9.2 overs, and his pace and variation disrupted Sri Lanka’s rhythm just when they looked dominant.
What impact did Babar Azam’s catch have on the match?
Though no longer captain, Babar Azam’s stunning one-handed catch at slip to dismiss Charith Asalanka was the emotional turning point. Asalanka was well-set at 57, and Sri Lanka needed 112 off 18 overs. His dismissal triggered a collapse, with Sri Lanka losing four wickets for 27 runs. It was the kind of moment that demoralizes a chasing side—and energizes the fielding team.
How does this win affect Pakistan’s ODI ranking and World Cup prospects?
The win lifts Pakistan to 7th in the ICC ODI rankings, closing the gap to 6th-placed West Indies. More importantly, it breaks a three-match losing streak against Sri Lanka—a psychological hurdle they’ve struggled with since 2021. With the 2027 World Cup in mind, this performance proves Pakistan’s middle order can handle pressure, a key weakness in recent tournaments.
Is this Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium becoming a fortress for Pakistan?
Yes. Since 2022, Pakistan has won all five ODIs played here, averaging 287 runs per innings and defending totals under 290 with an 80% success rate. The pitch, with its slightly slow surface and low bounce, favors spinners and disciplined pacers—both of which Pakistan now has in depth. Sri Lanka’s inability to adapt to these conditions suggests they’ll struggle again on Friday.
What’s the significance of Kamil Mishara’s debut for Sri Lanka?
The 20-year-old all-rounder showed promise with the bat (24 off 29) and took one wicket, but his bowling (8 overs, 56 runs) lacked control. Still, his inclusion signals Sri Lanka’s shift toward youth. With veterans like Wanindu Hasaranga aging, Mishara may be the future. But in high-pressure ODIs, experience still wins. He’ll need more exposure before he’s trusted in crunch moments.