Match officials penalized both Pakistan and Sri Lanka with financial fines on Sunday, October 18, after the teams failed to maintain proper over-rates during the first game of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan received a penalty of 10% of their match fees, while Sri Lanka was docked 5%.

Match referee Jeff Crowe, representing the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, applied the penalties following calculations that revealed Pakistan fell short by two overs, and Sri Lanka lagged by one over once time allowances were factored in.

Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel dictates that team members lose 5% of their match earnings for each over their side fails to complete within the designated period.

Skippers Shaheen Shah Afridi from Pakistan and Kusal Mendis from Sri Lanka admitted to the infractions and agreed to the penalties, bypassing any formal disciplinary hearings.

The match officials who lodged the complaints included on-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Wayne Knights, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi.

Pakistan began the tri-series by defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs.

Kusal Mendis elected to field first, leading to Pakistan putting up a total of 305 all out across 49.5 overs, anchored by Salman Ali Agha who notched 107 runs from 90 balls, marking his fourth ODI century.

Additional runs came from Babar Azam with 45, newcomer Saad Baig with 39, and Hasan Nawaz with 37. Eshan Malinga topped the bowling figures for Sri Lanka by capturing four wickets for 46 runs, and Asitha Fernando secured three wickets.

In response to the 306-run target, Sri Lanka ended their innings at 268 all out in 48.1 overs. Pavan Rathnayake contributed 79 runs, and Janith Liyanage chipped in with 60.

A 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket between the two batters temporarily challenged Pakistan before the home team pace bowlers seized back the momentum.

Shaheen spearheaded the bowling for Pakistan by taking three wickets for 55 runs, while Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf each claimed two wickets.

Salman Ali Agha earned the Player of the Match award for his century, giving Pakistan their opening victory of the tournament.