Salman Ali Agha Smashes Century as Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka in Tri-Series

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha delivered a commanding masterclass on Sunday, striking his fourth One-Day International century to guide the national side to a convincing 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening fixture of the tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The 32-year-old middle-order batsman exhibited sublime composure under pressure, registering his third century in just ten 50-over appearances. Salman celebrated the milestone with a distinctive gesture, placing his index finger at the corner of his right eye—a symbolic sign of focus and emotional resilience following an intensely challenging chapter in his international career.

The performance marks a dramatic resurgence for the seasoned campaigner, who endured a turbulent 18-month spell that saw him briefly assume and then lose the national T20I captaincy before being dropped from the Test squad. Refusing to succumb to adversity, Salman ground his way back through domestic circuits, accumulating nearly 600 runs to force his way back into national reckoning and reaffirm his standing as a vital cog in Pakistan’s white-ball setup.

With Pakistan seizing early momentum in the multi-nation tournament, the team management will look to consolidate their winning formula ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The green shirts are scheduled to return to the field later this week, with Salman’s renewed confidence bolstering an evolving batting core eyeing continental dominance.