In the ODI tri-series opener against Sri Lanka, Pakistan's Salman Agha scored a match-winning century at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18. Agha was recently sacked as T20I captain and sent home midway through the England tour despite leading the side in the series opener in Babar Azam's absence. Agha returned to domestic cricket, regained form, and scored a 90-ball 107 against Sri Lanka in his team's 37-run win. In doing so, Agha broke Mohammad Yousuf's long-standing record of most ODI centuries for Pakistan batting at no.5 or lower in the order.
This was Agha's fourth ODI century. Yousuf had three half-centuries batting at no.5 or lower. Yousuf is followed by all-rounders Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, and wicketkeeper-batter Umar Akmal, with two centuries each in the middle order. So far, Agha has scored 1,649 runs from 53 ODIs at an average of 44.56 and a strike rate of 97.86.
No Pakistan batter with one or more centuries in ODIs at no.5 or lower has a better average than Agha. His strike rate is only bettered by Iftikhar Ahmed (109.72) and Afridi (132.52).
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Overall, the record for most ODI tons at no.5 or lower is jointly held by England's Jos Buttler and South Africa's David Miller. For Asian batters, the record is in the possession of India's MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh with seven centuries each.
Agha slams ton, but Pakistan’s finish lacked firepower
Agha walked in to bat in the 20th over when Babar Azam lost his wicket to Eshan Malinga. Babar missed his fifty as he was dismissed for a 57-ball 45. A couple of overs later, Saad Baig returned to the pavilion for a 40-ball 39. Pakistan lost four wickets for 118 runs in 21.5 overs after Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Agha hit his first boundary in the 25th over. He hit Kamindu Mendis for two consecutive fours. Hasan Nawaz took his time in the middle while Agha picked up pace. In the 36th over, Agha reached his fifty from 48 deliveries. Nawaz looked to attack but fell to Asitha Fernando in an attempt to play a pull shot. Nawaz lost his wicket for a 49-ball 37 including two fours and as many sixes. Agha and Nawaz shared a 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Agha took the mantle to attack. His first six came off Malinga in the 40th over. In the 45th over, Agha hit Fernando for two consecutive fours to reach his century off 82 balls. In the same over, Arafat Minhas departed for a 15-ball 18. In Fernando's last over, Agha lost his wicket as well. He could not get the elevation and was caught at long-on by Dasun Shanaka. His knock of 107 runs off 90 balls was laced with 10 fours and a six.
When Agha walked back to the dressing room, Pakistan's score was 291/7 in 46.5 overs. Pakistan could not finish with a flourish as Malinga struck twice in the next over, getting rid of Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah. On the penultimate delivery of the innings, Haris Rauf was run out trying to complete a second run. Pakistan were bowled out for 307 in 49.5 overs.
Shaheen keeps Sri Lanka at bay
In the run chase, Sri Lanka were in a similar position to Pakistan. They lost early wickets and were 91/4 in 19.3 overs. Pavan Rathanayake and Janith Liyanage's fifties kept the run chase alive. But wickets of Liyanage and Shanaka in consecutive overs derailed their run chase. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs, losing the match by 37 runs. Skipper Shaheen claimed three wickets whereas Naseem, Rauf and Ashraf bagged two wickets each.
Agha opens up on celebration, wants respect for domestic cricket
Agha opened up about his celebration after reaching his century. He revealed that it was not meant for selectors or the team management but for his son.
“I don’t have enough time to message someone or prove someone wrong. I love my cricket, I love batting and I like playing for Pakistan. That was only celebration and my little son watches TV like this, so the [celebration] was for him,” Agha explained.
Agha also emphasised the need to play first-class cricket. He followed the snub from the Test squad with an unbeaten triple century in his first-class appearance. He scored a century and a fifty more in first-class cricket before joining the camp for the ODI tri-series. He wants more respect for performances put in by players in domestic cricket.
“I think we don’t give enough respect to our domestic cricket. The conditions there are not that easy and scoring runs is not an easy job. Otherwise, everyone would go there and score runs,” the 32-year-old said.
“If a player like me scores runs in domestic cricket, former cricketers say on social media that he has scored runs in domestic cricket, but scoring runs there is not that easy. You have to play well to score runs there,” he added.
Agha did not just talk about himself. He pointed out how Saud Shakeel and Baig have shown consistency in domestic cricket, which has paid dividends. He wants those performances to be recognised.
“I don’t think this is a good message either, because the players who come from there after performing have earned it. I was performing there for 10 years before I came into international cricket. Saud Shakeel was also there, and Saad Baig has performed in domestic cricket and did well today,” he further added.
Pakistan to face England next in tri-series
After a win in the ODI tri-series opener, Pakistan will face a tough challenge against Harry Brook-led England side at the same venue on October 20. The last time Agha faced England was in 2023, when he scored a half-century.
This England ODI side is missing the services of Jofra Archer who can be lethal with his pace and bounce. Also, Jacob Bethell is not part of the squad as he continues his rehabilitation. Wicketkeeper-batter Buttler recently had hamstring surgery, and Jordan Cox will fill in for him.