{
  "id": 15478654,
  "title": "Pakistan quicks seal win after Salman Agha ton sets tone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/pakistan-quicks-seal-win-after-salman-agha-ton-sets-tone",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-18T19:01:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/pakistan-quicks-seal-win-after-salman-agha-ton-sets-tone/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan secured a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening ODI of a tri-series, featuring a stellar performance by Salman Agha. Despite Sri Lanka's strong start, driven by a 119-run fifth-wicket partnership between Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage, Pakistan's top-order resilience saw them past 300. Agha's unbeaten 107 off 90 balls, built on partnerships with Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas, defied Sri Lanka's late-death onslaught, which saw the Sri Lankans lose five wickets for 15 runs. Sri Lanka's attempt at a big finish was thwarted by key wickets to Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando, ultimately leading to Pakistan's 305-run total.",
  "summary": "Pakistan withstood a middle-order counterattack from Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage to see off Sri Lanka by 37 runs. In the first match of a tri-series that also includes England, the pair appeared to have put Sri Lanka on course with a 119-run fifth wicket partnership, with the visitors well in front and requiring just […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan defeats Sri Lanka by 37 runs in ODI",
    "Salman Agha scores unbeaten 107 off 90 balls",
    "Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage score 119-run fifth-wicket stand"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Two moments of madness cost Sri Lanka as Pakistan win tri-series opener after Salman Ali Agha century",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/two-moments-of-madness-cost-sri-lanka-as-pakistan-win-tri-series",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:02:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Salman Ali Agha's Wife Shares Heart-Warming Moment As Son Watches Father's Century Against Sri Lanka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/salman-ali-aghas-wife-shares-heart-warming-moment-as-son-watches",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:09:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}