An Early Morning Ride In The Margalla Hills
Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten took a break from tactical cricket meetings over the weekend to explore Islamabad's scenic Margalla Hills on two wheels. Ahead of his squad's One-Day International tri-series opener in Rawalpindi, the former South African opening batter headed onto the mountain trails early in the morning. In a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the 58-year-old coach pedaled through lush green hills overlooking the Pakistani capital. Kirsten, who famously coached India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup trophy, described mountain biking as his favorite personal hobby. An avid early riser who prefers finishing his rides between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, he thanked local organizers for arranging the outdoor excursion. Kirsten praised the stunning natural scenery around Islamabad and said he hopes to visit Pakistan's mountainous northern areas if the tour schedule allows a spare day.
A Familiar Face In Pakistani Cricket Circles
The cycling outing marked a warm return to the country for Kirsten, who knows Pakistan's cricket landscape well. He previously served a brief six-month stint as Pakistan's white-ball head coach in 2024 before stepping down in October of that year. In April 2026, Kirsten signed a two-year contract to coach Sri Lanka, focusing on building a competitive squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, while Kirsten thoroughly enjoyed his peaceful morning ride in the hills, his Sri Lankan players faced a much tougher test on the pitch in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Pakistan Claims Tri-Series Opener In Rawalpindi
In the opening match of the ODI tri-series on Sunday, host nation Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a commanding total of 305 runs, powered by an explosive 107 off 90 balls from Salman Ali Agha and a steady 45 from Babar Azam. Sri Lanka mounted a spirited chase behind Pavan Rathnayake's 79 and Janith Liyanage's 60, but the visitors were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with three wickets, while pacers Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with two wickets apiece. Follow international cricket tours, match recaps, and behind-the-scenes stories. Catch all the latest sports news at The WAU.
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