Agha returns to lead Pakistan to tri-series win over Sri Lanka — SkimNews
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- Salman Ali Agha struck 107 off 90 balls in his first ODI since being one of seven Pakistan players summoned home from the England tour in late August; he was stripped of the T20 captaincy and dropped entirely before being recalled on the back of a triple century in domestic cricket.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs after Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won a fourth consecutive toss and elected to field, then dismissed Sri Lanka for 268 in 48.1 overs despite a 119-run stand between Pavan Rathnayake (79) and Janith Liyanage (60).
- Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan's attack with 3-55, supported by Naseem Shah (2-43), Haris Rauf (2-48) and Faheem Ashraf (2-49), who removed Mendis for 18 off 34 balls and later dismissed Rathnayake to break Sri Lanka's revival.
- Eshan Malinga (4-46) and Asitha Fernando (3-59) wrecked Pakistan's death overs, taking the last five wickets for 26 runs after Pakistan had been 279-5, with Malinga missing a hat-trick when No. 11 Haris Rauf survived his third ball.
- Pakistan face England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday in the second match of the tri-series, live on Sky Sports from 9am.
Why it matters: Agha's century caps a turbulent year — sent home from England, stripped of the T20 captaincy, dropped from the side — and his ODI recall on domestic runs means Pakistan's first series under reshaped leadership is now a direct test against the team that triggered the original exodus, with England up next on Tuesday in Rawalpindi.
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