Salman Ali Agha joins elite list featuring MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh with record ODI performance

Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, left, celebrates with Hasan Nawaz (AP/PTI) Salman Ali Agha made a significant entry into Pakistan’s ODI record books with a century against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ongoing tri-series, becoming the country’s most prolific centurion among batsmen who regularly featured at No. 5 or lower.The former Pakistan T20I captain blasted 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six, to help the hosts post 305 in 49.5 overs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Pakistan claimed a 37-run victory after Sri Lanka suffered a dramatic collapse late in their chase.The hundred was Agha’s fourth in 54 ODIs for Pakistan, with all four coming at bat at No. 5 or lower. His latest effort took him past former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf, with whom he previously shared the national record for most ODI centuries from those positions.Yousuf has scored three hundreds while batting at No. 5 or lower in ODIs. He played 114 matches in these positions between 1998 and 2009 and established himself as one of Pakistan’s most respected batsmen.Agha has now moved ahead of him, with three of his four ODI centuries coming specifically at No. 5. He achieved this feat in just 33 matches batting in that position, making him the first Pakistani to score three ODI hundreds at No. 5.Before Agha, Yousuf was the only Pakistani batsman to score multiple ODI hundreds at the position, scoring two hundreds in 84 matches at No.5.While Agha set a new Pakistan record, the overall mark for most ODI centuries at No.5 or below remains with England’s Jos Buttler and South Africa’s David Miller.

Most ODI 100 as a No. 5 batter or below

PlayerTeam(s)TimespanMatchesRunsHighest Score100sJos ButtlerEngland2012-20261904.9971508David MillerSouth Africa2010-20261744.6051428MS DhoniIndia,Asia2004-2Y48391 SinghIndia, Asia2000–20171744.8701397Both have eight hundred in these positions. India’s MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh ended their ODI careers with seven centuries in a row, while AB de Villiers, Andrew Symonds, Eoin Morgan and Sikandar Raza have six each.Agha’s latest success further underlined his growing importance to Pakistan’s middle order, with his century providing the foundation for a competitive side in the series opener.

Pakistan benefit from Sri Lanka’s late collapse

Agha’s contribution proved crucial as Pakistan held their nerve to secure victory after Sri Lanka staged a strong recovery during the chase.Sri Lanka slumped to 91/4 in the 20th over but rebuilt their innings through Janith and Pavan Rathnayake who combined to form a 119-run partnership. The rising dew also seemed to make batting easier and allowed the pair to revive their side’s hopes.Dasun Shanaka added to the power with an attacking 25 off 14 balls.With five wickets still in hand, Sri Lanka needed just 58 runs from the last eight overs and looked good to complete the chase.However, the game took a sharp turn when Janith and Shanaka were dismissed within four deliveries. Pakistan seized the opportunity and removed Sri Lanka’s last five batters for just 15 runs to seal a 37 run victory.Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten was visibly frustrated with the way his side surrendered their position after getting back into contention.Prior to this, Agha also received valuable support from Pakistan’s lower order. He added 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz scoring 37 off 49 balls before another 64 with Arafat Minhas contributing 18 off 15 deliveries.

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