Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan demonstrated excellent batting in the first day/night ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka, posting a total of 299 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan's openers started cautiously, with Saim Ayub dismissed for just 6 runs, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 32 runs before being dismissed.
Captain Babar Azam was bowled out for 29 runs by Wanindu Hasaranga, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for just 5 runs.
After the early wickets, middle-order batsmen Agha Salman and Hussain Talat came to the rescue, adding a crucial 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Agha Salman played a brilliant knock of 105 not out off 87 balls, including 9 boundaries. Hussain Talat also contributed with 62 runs off 63 balls.
In the final overs, Mohammad Nawaz added a quick 36 runs from just 23 balls, helping Pakistan reach a total of 299 runs.
For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 54 runs in 10 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva and Maheesh Theekshana claimed one wicket each.
Pakistan maintained a run rate of 5.98 throughout their innings, and in the last five overs, they added 53 runs.