In a dramatic turn of events during an ODI Tri-Series encounter, Pakistan successfully defended their total to defeat Sri Lanka by 37 runs. The match was defined by a moment of brilliance in the field, as Faheem Ashraf executed a relay catch to dismiss Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando, rescuing his team after an initial mistake by debutant wicketkeeper Saad Baig.
Pakistan had opted to bat first in the contest, putting up a formidable total of 305 runs on the board. The innings was anchored by Salman Ali Agha, who produced a commanding performance, scoring 107 runs off 90 balls. Supporting the effort, star batter Babar Azam contributed 45 runs, a performance that allowed him to surpass the 16,000-run milestone in international cricket across all three formats. With this achievement, Azam joined an elite group of Pakistani cricketers including Javed Miandad, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Younis Khan who have all crossed the same run-scoring threshold.
When Sri Lanka began their chase, they established a steady tempo, building a 30-run partnership for the opening wicket. The breakthrough finally arrived in the sixth over, delivered by pacer Naseem Shah. Bowling a short-pitched delivery, Shah forced Fernando to play an aggressive pull shot. However, the batter was visibly cramped for space and managed only a top edge that sent the ball looping high into the air towards the short fine leg region.
Saad Baig, the debutant wicketkeeper, sprinted from his position to claim the catch. While he successfully reached the ball and managed to get both hands to it, he lost his balance at the critical moment. As the ball slipped from his gloves, it appeared as though the opportunity might be squandered. However, Faheem Ashraf, who had been fielding deep at fine leg, anticipated the error perfectly. Alert to the unfolding situation, Ashraf lunged forward and secured the ball just before it could hit the ground, completing a relay catch that was instrumental in ending the dangerous opening stand.
Following this dismissal, the Pakistani bowling attack maintained pressure on the Sri Lankan lineup. Despite the initial resilience shown by the visitors, the momentum shifted firmly in favor of Pakistan. The Sri Lankan side eventually struggled to maintain the required run rate as wickets fell at regular intervals, and the team was ultimately bowled out for 268 runs. The victory by 37 runs marked a significant result for Pakistan in the ongoing ODI Tri-Series.
This match served as a showcase for both the experienced leadership of veterans like Babar Azam and the quick thinking of fielders like Ashraf. While the debutant Baig will be remembered for the initial drop, the swift recovery by his teammate ensured that the team’s bowling effort remained on track. The win provides a boost for Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will look to address their batting consistency in their upcoming fixtures as the tournament progresses.
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