Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten appeared visibly frustrated after former skipper Dasun Shanaka lost his wicket during the opening ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Shanaka’s dismissal shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favour on Sunday, October 18.
The Shaheen Afridi-led team secured a 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the ongoing tri-series. Sri Lanka needed 58 runs from 48 balls with five wickets in hand. However, the dismissals of Janith Liyanage and Dasun Shanaka shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favour.
Gary Kirsten’s Reaction Goes Viral After Dasun Shanaka’s Dismissal
Dasun Shanaka was batting on 28 off 18 balls and looked capable of guiding Sri Lanka to victory alongside Janith Liyanage. However, he mistimed an aggressive shot against Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi and handed a catch to Babar Azam at long-on.
Television cameras captured Gary Kirsten looking frustrated in the Sri Lankan dressing room after Dasun Shanaka’s dismissal. The head coach gestured towards his head with his hands, likely questioning the batter’s shot selection at a crucial stage of the chase.
Shaheen delivered a full ball outside off stump, angling it across the batter. Dasun Shanaka moved deep into his crease and attempted to hit across the line but failed to time the shot. Babar settled under the ball at long-on to complete the catch, leaving Sri Lanka seven wickets down.
Wait for Sri Lanka coach – Gary Kirsten’s reaction.. after Dasun Shanaka threw away his wicket cheaply.. “Think” #pakvsl https://t.co/u1unFvwKTJ
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) October 18, 2026
Salman Ali Agha’s Century Helps Pakistan Post 305
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan lost Saim Ayub for seven and Fakhar Zaman for 16 during the Powerplay, slipping to 32/2 before Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig added 74 runs to steady the innings.
Eshan Malinga continued to trouble Pakistan’s batters, but Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Agha led the recovery with a counter-attacking 107 off 90 balls, helping Pakistan recover from regular wickets and post 305 all out in 49.5 overs.
Malinga finished with figures of 4/46, while Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka. Their efforts restricted Pakistan from pushing the total even higher, but Agha’s century gave the hosts a competitive target to defend.
Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage Nearly Pull Off the Chase
Sri Lanka began cautiously and reached 42/1 in the first 10 overs. Kusal Mendis fell for 18, while Shaheen dismissed Kamindu Mendis for 44 and Sahan Arachchige to reduce the visitors to 91/4.
Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage then revived the chase with a 119-run partnership. Rathnayake scored 79, while Liyanage made 60, bringing Sri Lanka back into contention and keeping the required rate within reach during the final 10 overs.
Faheem Ashraf broke the partnership by dismissing Rathnayake, and Haris Rauf removed Liyanage soon after. Shaheen then dismissed Dasun Shanaka before Rauf bowled Asitha Fernando to end the innings. Sri Lanka were all out for 268 in 48.1 overs, falling 37 runs short.
Speaking after the match, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis admitted that his team needed to be more positive during the Powerplay and avoid mistakes late in the innings.
“I think we have to play, you know, a little bit positive in the powerplay. Their guys batted really well, then I think runs is enough. Our bowlers were bowling really well in last 10 overs. Bowling unit did really well. I think, I took a little bit more balls in the powerplay, dot balls, that’s why we are struggling in the powerplay a little bit.”
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