Photo via The Times of India

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

Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha etched his name into the team’s ODI record books by becoming the most prolific centurion among batters who have regularly batted at No. 5 or lower, surpassing Mohammad Yousuf’s previous mark.

Agha’s unbeaten 107 off 90 balls against Sri Lanka in the tri-series opener at Rawalpindi Stadium on Sunday marked his fourth ODI century—three of which came specifically at No. 5—achieved in just 33 matches in that position, a feat no Pakistani batter had matched before.

His aggressive innings anchored Pakistan’s 305-run total, setting the stage for a 37-run victory after Sri Lanka’s late collapse, with Agha’s consistency proving pivotal for the middle order in high-pressure situations. While Jos Buttler and David Miller lead globally with eight centuries each from No.

5 or lower, Agha’s rise places him among Pakistan’s most reliable lower-order batsmen alongside legends like Yousuf, who had held the record for years with three such hundreds in 114 matches. The win underscored Pakistan’s resilience, as Sri Lanka’s chase faltered despite a strong recovery led by Janith and Pavan Rathnayake, who briefly revived hopes with a 119-run partnership before the dew and final overs derailed their pursuit.

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