Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha believes the the side have not yet displayed a complete team performance in the ongoing One-day International tri-nation series, and hopes the final against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Saturday is where it falls into place.

The hosts’ top-order has been notably starved of runs for the series, underscoring Pakistan’s underwhelming campaign with the bat.

“Sometimes all of your players don’t score runs. Our top order isn’t scoring runs at the moment, like they used to,” Salman said during a press conference on the eve of the match, adding that they have been key performing players for the team over the last few years.

“They haven’t performed like that in this series, but tomorrow is the final and we hope that they will.”

He added that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, despite their current lean patch, have been Pakistan’s best players in ODI cricket over the last decade and that the duo were “second to none.”

“They know themselves what they need to do and what they need to work on,” Salman said. He added that Fakhar had almost always come good in knock-outs and high-stakes matches like tomorrow’s final, and was “hoping he will go big.”

Salman added that the team always discusses how to put up totals of more than 3oo, and that they needed to focus on converting innings of 50 or 6o runs to big hundreds to help them post the scores they were looking for.

The fragility of Pakistan’s top order is just one of the factors that have gone into the slightly unconvincing cricket the side has played in this series, even in the matches they have won.

Salman said that head coach Mike Hesson always emphasised playing the “perfect game”, where a team aces all of batting, bowling and fielding.

He admitted that Pakistan are yet to play one of those matches so far, with performances being punctuated with batting collapses, patches of underwhelming bowling, and “lapses” in the field.

He added that the win against England last Sunday, which was brought about on the back of a sensational 10th-wicket partnership between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf, was one they “should have won much more easily.”

The 32-year-old added that the contributions from the young players Arafat Minhas, Hassan Nawaz and Saad Baig have been key in Pakistan’s wins, calling them “amazing and very talented players” who are the “future of Pakistan.”

When asked about what the team will seek to do to offset Sri Lanka’s incredibly strong record at Gaddafi Stadium, he said: “More than stats, it is how you play on the day that decides who will win.”

“Whichever team plays well will win.”

Pakistan have been under considerable scrutiny for the elements that have been lacking this series.

However, Salman does not believe those are for a lack of trying or seriousness, especially in response to criticism about him being too relaxed.

“I am playing for Pakistan, how is it possible that I will not be serious about it? I am part of the eleven people representing a population of 25 crore.”

“I made my debut at the age of 28 or 29, and I played domestic cricket for 10 years. I know how I have reached to this stage, and to reach this point and not take it seriously is beyond me.

“Yes, you can say that my shot selection in the last three games has not been what it should be, and I admit that and I am working on it.”

When asked about how much rope out-of-form players should be given in the side, he said a “decent amount of games” that would give them a chance to “overcome” periods of failure is crucial.

“To make runs in international cricket and be consistently successful is not an easy thing to do,” he said, adding that settling into it took time and youngsters brought into the side should be given ample opportunity.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of seven players, including their direct signing, for the 12th edition of the tournament, but any side exercising the full retention allowance will have to release a player from the highest price tier of the previous auction into the general player pool.

The provision, unanimously approved by all eight franchises at a tournament operations workshop at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, is among the key regulations finalised ahead of the PSL 12 player auction scheduled for January 23.

The mandatory release of a top-tier player is aimed at ensuring the availability of elite talent to all franchises during the auction, while allowing teams to preserve a significant portion of their existing squads.

The deadline for player retentions has been set for January 13, ten days before the auction. The timing will allow franchises to assess performances in the National T20 Silver tournament, which will have concluded, and the ongoing National T20 Gold competition before making their final decisions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the arrangement would provide a “live, data-driven link” between domestic cricket and the PSL, giving players performing in the National T20 competitions an opportunity to attract franchise attention.

A domestic player in form during the National T20 Gold tournament could, according to the PCB, “force his way into franchise thinking in real time”.

The auction, which will be only the second in PSL history, will operate under a salary cap of Rs45 crore for each franchise. The cap will rise to Rs50.5 crore for a franchise that makes a direct signing for PSL 12, retains its direct signing from the previous season, or opts for both.

All franchises will also be required to spend a minimum of Rs36.5 crore on their squads.

The window for direct signings will remain open until November 23, 2026. Each franchise will be permitted to directly sign one marquee player who did not feature in either PSL 10 or PSL 11.

The regulations were finalised during a workshop chaired by PSL chief executive Salman Naseer, with all eight franchises reaching unanimous agreement after reviewing the auction rules clause by clause.

Discussions also covered direct signings, player retentions, trade windows, squad sizes and salary caps.

“What made today remarkable was not just what was agreed, it was how it was agreed,” Naseer said in a statement.

“Every franchise engaged with complete openness, the Auction rules were worked through line by line, and we finished with unanimous buy-in across all eight sides,” he added.

Naseer said the retention deadline had deliberately been aligned with the National T20 competitions to give domestic performers a genuine opportunity to influence franchise squad selections through their performances.

The PCB said more major announcements concerning PSL 12 would be made in the coming weeks.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is banking on his experienced top order to deliver when it matters most as the hosts prepare to face Sri Lanka in Saturday’s One-day International (ODI) tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the opening batters’ inconsistent form remaining a major concern.

Pakistan qualified for the final with three consecutive victories before suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their last league match, when they were dismissed for just 110. The hosts will need a substantial improvement from their leading batters to avoid a repeat against the Islanders, who chased down the target with more than 30 overs to spare.

Speaking to PCB Digital in a video released on Thursday, Hesson said Pakistan had secured their wins despite some key players failing to make significant contributions, and expressed hope that the final would bring out their best.

“It’s been a pretty good couple of weeks. We have played some decent cricket without being perfect. To get three wins in a row without contributions from a few of our key players is a good sign,” he said.

“I still don’t think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final.”

The numbers underline the challenge facing Pakistan’s top order. Fakhar Zaman has managed just 31 runs in four innings, while former captain Babar Azam has scored 118 in the same number of outings. Saim Ayub, who opened alongside Fakhar in the first three matches before being released from the squad at his own request, scored 21 runs in three innings.

Fakhar made 16 against Sri Lanka in the opening match, fell for a first-ball duck against England and scored 10 in the second England fixture before managing only five against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Babar began with 45 against Sri Lanka, followed it with 34 against England and then made 10 before scoring 29 in the latest defeat.

Saim scored seven, eight and six in his three appearances. He was subsequently released to return to domestic cricket and work on his batting form, with Sahibzada Farhan named as his replacement, while opener Maaz Sadaqat was also called up earlier.

Hesson, however, remains confident that Pakistan’s senior batters Fakhar and Babar can rise to the occasion, describing the final as an ideal opportunity for them to produce a match-winning performance.

“You are talking about two of the greatest players in Pakistan’s history in the top three. I expect big players to stand up in big games,” he said.

“The fact that we have been able to achieve the wins that we have without the top order performing as well as we know they are capable of is a good sign. A couple of our key players are searching for that match-winning performance and there’s no better place to do it than in a final.”

While the top order has struggled, Pakistan’s middle order has provided important contributions. Salman Ali Agha struck a commanding 107 off 90 balls in the opening victory over Sri Lanka, while Hasan Nawaz scored 79 against England. Arafat Minhas also made 59 in that match.

Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 against England in Lahore proved decisive, as he and Haris Rauf put together an unbroken 89-run stand for the last wicket to secure a remarkable one-wicket win.

Hesson singled out Salman’s achievements and praised Hasan’s development, particularly his growing ability to manage pressure in the middle order.

“Salman Ali Agha has got the most hundreds of any Pakistan player batting at number five or below in an ODI,” he said. “His performance is often underrated.”

He added that Hasan was learning to “control the chase, understand risk and manage it”, describing his progress as encouraging.

Pakistan’s bowling, led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, has also offered positives, with Hesson praising the left-arm pacer’s ability to take early wickets and acknowledging contributions from Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and young Arafat Minhas.

Pakistan, who have won 12 of their 19 ODIs since Hesson took charge as white-ball head coach last year, will hope their collective strength is complemented by a decisive contribution from the top order when the trophy is at stake.

Sri Lanka stormed into the final of the One-day International tri-series after overwhelming Pakistan by eight wickets, chasing a modest target of 111 in just 18.1 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka delivered a career-best five for 34 to dismantle Pakistan for 110 in 25.3 overs before Kamindu Mendis struck an unbeaten 62 to guide Sri Lanka to 114-2, sealing victory with 31.5 overs to spare.

The result confirmed Sri Lanka’s place in Saturday’s final alongside Pakistan, who had already qualified after winning their first three matches. England’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka on Thursday consequently became a dead rubber.

Pakistan’s batting collapsed against a disciplined Sri Lankan attack after captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to field. The hosts struggled to cope with Madushanka’s short-pitched deliveries and never recovered from losing wickets at regular intervals.

Babar Azam top-scored with 29 off 33 balls, including five boundaries, while Hasan Nawaz made 17. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed 15 off 13 deliveries, striking two sixes in a late attempt to lift the total.

Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman for five in the fourth over when he mistimed a short delivery from Madushanka and was caught at point. Maaz Sadaqat, making his first appearance in the tri-series after being added to the squad a day earlier, managed eight before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before with a yorker.

Saad Baig fell for five, caught at short cover off Madushanka, while Salman Ali Agha made nine before edging Sahan Arachchige behind. Pakistan were 61-4 when Babar was trapped leg-before by Eshan Malinga for 29, having already lost their two reviews.

The collapse gathered pace as Arachchige dismissed Shadab Khan for two and Dunith Wellalage removed Hasan Nawaz, who was caught by Arachchige for 17. Pakistan slumped to 91-8, leaving the lower order with too much to do.

Madushanka returned to claim the remaining wickets, dismissing Arafat Minhas for 10 and Haris Rauf for one before ending the innings with Shaheen’s wicket. The Pakistan captain’s brief counterattack included two sixes, but he was caught by Wellalage as Madushanka completed his five-wicket haul. Arachchige took two wickets, while Asitha, Malinga and Wellalage claimed one apiece.

Sri Lanka’s reply began aggressively, with Kamindu and Avishka Fernando putting on 50 for the opening wicket in 6.5 overs. Avishka struck two fours in his 17-ball 16 before pulling Shaheen to Fakhar at short midwicket.

Kamindu, however, continued to score freely, reaching his half-century off 43 balls. He survived a dropped catch in Shaheen’s opening over and successfully reviewed an lbw decision before going on to finish unbeaten on 62 from 60 deliveries, with eight fours and two sixes.

Pakistan briefly found another breakthrough when Kusal, who had struck two boundaries in his six-ball eight, was bowled by Arafat for 8. The dismissal came in unusual fashion, as the ball ricocheted off the batter’s bat and into the stumps.

But the hosts could not build on the wicket. Pavan Rathnayake joined Kamindu and remained unbeaten on 23 off 26 balls, striking two fours as the pair guided Sri Lanka home without further loss.

Kamindu’s fluent innings ensured the chase remained firmly under control, while Rathnayake finished the contest by driving Maaz’s spin through cover-point for four.

Shaheen and Arafat took one wicket each, but Pakistan’s total left their bowlers with little margin for error.

Sri Lanka completed a comprehensive victory that capped a strong turnaround in the tournament, with their batters having also impressed in their earlier win over England.

For Pakistan, the defeat exposed familiar top-order weaknesses after their dramatic one-wicket victory over England on Sunday. Shadab’s unbeaten century had rescued that match, but this time the batting line-up failed to provide a competitive total.

Madushanka’s outstanding spell proved decisive, giving Sri Lanka the momentum to secure qualification and setting up a final against Pakistan on Saturday.

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been released from the national squad for the remainder of the ongoing One-day International tri-series after requesting to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The PCB said the decision was taken after Saim spoke to head coach Mike Hesson, with the team management and national selection committee agreeing to his request.

“Respecting Saim’s decision and appreciating his honest assessment of his current form, the team management and national selection committee have mutually agreed to accept this request,” the board said in a press release.

Right-handed opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named as Saim’s replacement for the remainder of the tournament.

The decision comes after Saim endured a difficult run in the tri-series, including a six-run dismissal in Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

His early departure was part of a top-order collapse that left Pakistan struggling before Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and an unbroken last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf secured the win.

Concerns over Saim’s form had also been raised ahead of Sunday’s match, with Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi acknowledging the selection options available to the team amid inconsistent returns from the opening batters.

The PCB statement did not specify how long Saim would spend playing domestic cricket or provide details of any future selection plans.

The latest change follows the inclusion of left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat in the squad a day earlier.

Maaz was added as cover for players carrying minor niggles after left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Moqim was released from the squad, with the PCB citing the nature of the Lahore pitches. Sufiyan was asked to return to domestic cricket.

Maaz, 21, had initially been left out of the tri-series squad. An occasional left-arm orthodox spinner, Maaz now remains part of the squad alongside Farhan for the remainder of the tri-series.

Farhan, meanwhile, returns to the ODI set-up after being left out of Pakistan’s original squad for the tri-series. He had been named captain of the national T20I side for the series against Sri Lanka earlier this month and led Pakistan at the Asian Games.

Pakistan have already qualified for the tri-series final after registering three consecutive victories. They will face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the competition at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, with the final scheduled for Oct 31 at the same venue.

The ongoing tri-series, featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, is part of the teams’ preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup.

Pakistan’s remaining league fixture against Sri Lanka will provide the team an opportunity to assess its options before the final.

Fortune favours the brave, and on Sunday it favoured Shadab Khan just when he seemed to have been abandoned by it.

He had dragged Pakistan from the brink of defeat to within touching distance of victory in the One-day International tri-series match against England. And it had taken extraordinary bravery to do so.

With the last wicket standing and Haris Rauf holding firm at the other end, Pakistan needed 27 runs when Shadab swept Gus Atkinson for six over fine leg.

Before the sparse crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium could finish celebrating, Atkinson fired a full delivery into Shadab’s pads. England appealed in unison and the umpire raised his finger.

Shadab, already regretting the momentary lapse, tapped his bat against his helmet in frustration before reviewing the decision, more out of obligation than hope.

Then came the twist. The big screen showed a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed the bat. The decision was overturned, disbelief gave way to delight and Shadab returned to the crease with a smile.

He responded by squeezing Atkinson for four between short third and backward point to bring up his maiden ODI century off 91 balls, then whipped another full delivery through square leg for four.

After two dot balls, he pumped Atkinson over long-off for six, leaving Pakistan one hit away from victory.

Haris, who had faced 18 balls for his three runs, settled the contest in the next over, drilling debutant Henry Crocombe straight down the ground for four.

Pakistan reached 243-9 in 47.1 overs to complete a remarkable one-wicket victory, seal their place in the Oct 31 final and condemn England to another agonising defeat.

Shadab remained unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls, with 13 fours and five sixes, while his unbroken 89-run stand with Haris set a record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, surpassing the previous mark of 64.

The unlikely rescue began when Shadab walked in at 103-5 after Arafat Minhas fell for one.

Pakistan had been chasing England’s 241 all out but were already in trouble, having lost Fakhar Zaman (10), Saim Ayub (six) and Babar Azam (10) inside seven overs. Saad Baig briefly counter-attacked with 32 off 22 balls, including seven fours, before falling at 74-4.

Hasan Nawaz made 15 before Liam Dawson dismissed him at 102, and Arafat followed in the next over.

Shadab initially worked his way into the innings, but his task grew harder when Salman Ali Agha, who had made 26 off 49 balls, was caught off Dawson at 121-6.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Razaullah also fell, leaving Pakistan 154-9 after 33.5 overs and still needing 88 runs.

Shadab, however, refused to surrender. He reached 32 before Haris arrived, then began to attack with greater conviction.

He drove Atkinson over mid-off and pulled him through deep midwicket for boundaries, while a six over midwicket from Razaullah at the other end briefly lifted the pressure before the debutant was bowled by Will Jacks.

Shadab’s fifty came off 49 balls, with a six over deep square leg against Crocombe. He then used his feet to Dawson, sweeping a full toss for four and carving another six over wide long-off.

Reverse-sweeps and crisp drives through cover kept the chase alive as England struggled to find the final breakthrough.

With Haris offering dogged support, Shadab brought up the 50-run stand for the last wicket and then moved into the 90s with a pull for four off Sam Curran.

He declined singles at times to retain the strike, taking responsibility for almost every scoring opportunity. His century made him only the third batter to score an ODI hundred at No. 8 or lower.

Pakistan’s bowling shines under Shaheen

Earlier, Ben Duckett had stood tall with a century as England crumbled around him, managing 241 in 46.4 overs.

Shaheen led Pakistan’s attack with 4-46, reducing the visitors to 19-3 inside five overs. Tom Banton fell for four, Joe Root made five and captain Harry Brook was run out for one. Haris then removed Jordan Cox for six as England slumped to 52-4.

Duckett rebuilt the innings, reaching his half-century off 56 balls and helping England past 100 in the 20th over.

He pulled Haris for four, launched Salman over deep midwicket for six and reverse-hit another boundary. Curran provided the only substantial support, scoring 42 off 52 balls as the pair added 93 for the fifth wicket.

Shaheen broke the stand by dismissing Curran, caught at fine leg, before Duckett reached his fifth ODI century off 104 balls — his first against Pakistan. He made 105 off 111 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes, before Arafat had him caught at short fine leg for 187-7.

Razaullah took two wickets, including Will Jacks for 13, while Arafat also dismissed Jamie Overton for 10. Atkinson’s unbeaten 36 off 28 balls, featuring three sixes, lifted England to 241 before Shaheen dismissed Crocombe for eight to finish with four wickets.

England’s total looked competitive when Pakistan collapsed, but Shadab’s extraordinary innings turned the match on its head and carried the hosts into the final.

Haris Rauf compounded England’s troubles when Jordan Cox edged behind to Babar Azam for six, leaving the visitors struggling at 52-4 in the 10th over.

Duckett, however, refused to let the innings unravel completely. The left-hander brought up his half-century off 56 balls as England reached 100 in the 20th over, keeping the scoreboard moving with well-timed cuts, drives and sweeps.

He pulled Haris through midwicket for four before launching Salman Ali Agha over deep midwicket for six. Duckett also produced a reverse-hit boundary against Salman and pierced the covers with a crisp drive off Shadab Khan.

At the other end, Sam Curran provided the only meaningful support, counter-attacking with a series of boundaries. He charged down the track to lift Saim over mid-on and later rocked back to dispatch the spinner through midwicket.

The pair added 93 runs for the fifth wicket, taking England from 52-4 to 145 before Shaheen returned to break the stand in the 27th over. Curran, who scored 42 off 52 balls with five fours, top-edged a pull off a short delivery to Salman at fine leg.

Duckett continued to hold the innings together, reaching his fifth ODI century off 104 balls and his first against Pakistan. He struck 105 off 111 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes, before Arafat dismissed him in the 37th over, with Salman taking the catch at short fine leg.

England then lost Will Jacks (13) to Razaullah, who took a sharp return catch for his maiden ODI wicket, while Liam Dawson (five) fell to another short ball, caught by Shadab at deep square leg. Arafat also removed Jamie Overton (10), caught by Babar at long-off.

Gus Atkinson offered late resistance with an unbeaten 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes, helping England cross 200. Shaheen eventually ended the innings by dismissing debutant Henry Crocombe for eight, with Babar completing the catch.