Salman Ali Agha scored a century to help Pakistan post a competitive total, with the hosts setting Sri Lanka a target of 306 runs.

Pakistan's innings

Pakistan got off to a poor start as openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub departed early. Saim scored seven runs, while Fakhar made 16, leaving Pakistan at 32-2.

Babar Azam and ODI debutant Saad Baig then steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership for the third wicket. Babar scored 45 off 51 balls, including six fours, before being dismissed at 106.

Saad followed at 118 after scoring 39 runs, while Hasan Nawaz contributed 37. He added 97 runs with Salman Ali Agha for the fifth wicket, taking Pakistan to 215.

Salman continued to build the innings and reached his fourth ODI century. He shared another 64-run partnership with Arafat Minhas, who scored 18 before falling at 279.

Salman was dismissed at 291, leaving Pakistan unable to add many runs in the closing overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 13, while Faheem Ashraf made six. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were dismissed without scoring.

Sri Lanka's Eshan Malinga took four wickets, while Asitha Fernando claimed three and Dilshan Madushanka picked up two.

Sri Lanka win toss and elect to field

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said the fresh pitch would have encouraged his side to bat first as well, adding that the team aimed to score around 300 runs.

Mendis said Sri Lanka were prepared for the ODI format after their recent T20I series and would play three fast bowlers and one spinner.

Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig made his ODI debut for Pakistan. Leg-spinners Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem missed the opening match due to illness, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board. Their availability for upcoming matches will be decided later.

Pakistan entered the series after beating Sri Lanka 2-1 in their recent T20I series. Pakistan won the first two matches, while Sri Lanka claimed victory in the final game.

Tri-nation ODI series schedule

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England are competing in the tri-nation series, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Pakistan will face England in Rawalpindi on October 20, followed by Sri Lanka against England on October 22. The remaining league matches will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, with Pakistan facing England on October 25 and Sri Lanka on October 27. England and Sri Lanka will meet on October 29.

Each team will play the other sides twice in the initial stage. The top two teams on the points table will meet in the final in Lahore on October 31.