Sri Lanka set a challenging target of 326 after Kamindu Mendis scored a maiden ODI century of 131 and Pavan Rathnayake added 77. Despite Dilshan Madushanka removing Babar Azam for a duck, Fakhar Zaman's 127 off 99 balls stabilized the innings alongside a vital 74 from Saad Baig. Arafat Minhas then compiled a half-century and partnered with Hasan Nawaz for 94 runs to reach 331 with nine balls to spare.
Key points
Pakistan ended an ODI tri-series championship drought that had persisted since their 2008…: Pakistan ended an ODI tri-series championship drought that had persisted since their 2008 victory against India.
Dilshan Madushanka struck early by dismissing Babar Azam for a duck before Pakistan's mid…: Dilshan Madushanka struck early by dismissing Babar Azam for a duck before Pakistan's middle order mounted a counterattack.
Crucial half-centuries from Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas ensured Pakistan chased down the…: Crucial half-centuries from Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas ensured Pakistan chased down the 326-run target with nine balls remaining.
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Oct 31 : Fakhar Zaman's superb century powered Pakistan to a three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the One-Day International tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday, ending the hosts' long wait for the title.
Zaman's 127 off 99 balls anchored the chase after an early wobble, while Salman Agha provided crucial support before Arafat Minhas' half-century paved the way for victory.
Pakistan chasing down a target of 326, finished on 331 with nine balls to spare to complete the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 325 for eight wickets, built around Kamindu Mendis' outstanding 131 off 128 balls and a fluent 77 from Pavan Rathnayake. The pair shared a crucial 146-run partnership before Pakistan struck late to curb any hopes of a 340-plus surge, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking two wickets for 50 runs.
The victory secured Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008, when they beat India in the Kitply Cup final in Bangladesh, and made amends for their defeat to New Zealand in the final of a home tri-series in 2025.
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