Rawalpindi, November 12 (). Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the series by winning by 6 runs in the first match of the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Pakistan had set a target of 300 runs for Sri Lanka to win. Despite the excellent batting of Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan team could score only 293 runs at the loss of 9 wickets and lost the match by 6 runs.
In the match played on Tuesday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl. Batting first, Pakistan scored 299 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. For Pakistan, Salman Ali Aga scored unbeaten 105 runs with the help of 9 fours in 87 balls. Hussain Talat had scored 62 runs in 63 balls with the help of 1 six and 6 fours. There was an important partnership of 138 runs between these two for the fifth wicket. Mohammad Nawaz also played an unbeaten inning of 36 runs with the help of 1 six and 5 fours in 23 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga took 3 wickets for 54 runs in 10 overs. Asitha Fernando and Mahish Tikshana took 1 wicket each.
Sri Lanka had a good start to achieve the target of 300 runs. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara had made a partnership of 85 runs for the first wicket. But, Haris Rauf made a comeback for Pakistan and took 3 wickets in 11 balls. Sri Lanka, which was 0 for 85, became 3 for 90. After this, Sadira Samarawickrama scored 39 runs, captain Charith Asalanka scored 32 runs and Zenith Liange scored 28 runs to keep Sri Lanka in the match. But, Wanindu Hasaranga showed real charisma. Hasaranga scored 59 runs in 52 balls with the help of 7 fours. Mahish Tikshana supported Hasaranga by scoring 21 runs on 18 balls. Hasaranga was out as the ninth wicket on the fourth ball of the 49th over and the match got stuck here. 21 runs were needed from the last 8 balls. Sri Lanka could score 14 runs and lost the match by 6 runs. Sri Lanka could score 293 runs for 9 wickets.
Haris Rauf took 4 wickets, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf took 2-2 wickets, and Mohammad Nawaz took 1 wicket.
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PAK
