Pakistan claimed the tri-series title on 31 October 2026 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, defeating Sri Lanka by three wickets in a thrilling final under lights. Fakhar Zaman's unbeaten 127 from 99 balls proved decisive in a successful chase of 326, though the match remained in the balance until the penultimate over when Shaheen Afridi struck the winning boundary. According to The Guardian, the victory capped a mini-tournament that offered greater significance than routine bilateral series.
Sri Lanka's innings, which concluded at 325 for 8 wickets, was built on a commanding partnership between Kamindu Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. Mendis struck 131, his maiden ODI century after seven years in the format, while Rathnayake contributed 77 to a stand worth 146 runs inside 20 overs. The pair's aggression pushed Sri Lanka to 255 after 41 overs, setting up what appeared a formidable target on a flat pitch.
How did Pakistan's chase unfold?
Pakistan's pursuit began poorly when Babar Azam, their most accomplished batter, fell without scoring to a thick edge at slip. The captain's struggles continued a run of nine innings without a half-century. Maaz Sadaqat followed shortly after, caught driving at Dilshan Madushanka, leaving the hosts at 14 for two.
Fakhar and Saad Baig, two left-handers at different career stages, stabilised the innings through aggressive batting. Baig, hours before his 20th birthday, reached his first international fifty off 52 balls before perishing on 74 to a return catch from Maheesh Theekshana. Fakhar, meanwhile, benefited from fielding lapses—dropped by Madushanka on six and by Theekshana on both 69 and 106—to progress towards three figures off 84 balls.
The match tightened when Sri Lanka's left-armers applied pressure. Madushanka's pace beat Fakhar's swinging bat with 106 still required, while Wellalage's spin dismissed Salman Agha. Boundaries dried up for more than 10 overs as the contest hung in balance.
Who sealed the victory?
Arafat Minhas, the 21-year-old who had decimated England with a six-wicket haul earlier in the tri-series, proved the decisive figure in the closing stages. Partnering with Hasan Nawaz, 24, Minhas played with the composure of a seasoned campaigner, striking 61 off just 31 balls and middling four sixes. Their partnership of 94 runs shifted momentum decisively towards Pakistan.
With 46 needed from 30 balls, a 15-run over off Dasun Shanaka's bowling proved the turning point. Minhas' power through the covers delighted the packed stadium, and when both Minhas and Faheem Ashraf fell with two runs still required, Shaheen Afridi finished the contest with a boundary over the ropes.
What was the context of this final?
Pakistan reached the final after a dramatic one-wicket victory over England, with Shadab Khan's unbeaten 113 securing a stunning late-innings turnaround. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, had eliminated England from contention on 27 October when Dilshan Madushanka took 5 for 34 to bowl Pakistan out for 110, allowing the islanders to reach the final with an eight-wicket victory.
The tri-series itself had showcased Pakistan's emerging talent. Minhas had announced himself with a six-wicket haul and 59 runs in Pakistan's opening victory over England, signalling the depth of the home side's bowling attack. Rathnayake, for his part, had accumulated 427 runs across the tournament at an average of 106.75, including two centuries against England, demonstrating Sri Lanka's attacking intent throughout the competition.
Pakistan's chase came four days after they had been bowled out for 110 by the same opposition, making the successful pursuit of 326 a remarkable turnaround. The victory underscored the unpredictability of the format and the quality of cricket on display throughout the mini-tournament.
Key Facts
- Fakhar Zaman's 127 from 99 balls carried Pakistan to victory despite Kamindu Mendis's 131 for Sri Lanka
- Arafat Minhas struck 61 from 31 balls in a crucial 94-run partnership with Hasan Nawaz that secured the title
- Sri Lanka's innings reached 325 for 8, including 15 extras across the innings
- Pakistan won by three wickets with the match decided in the penultimate over
- Shaheen Afridi delivered the winning boundary as Pakistan chased down their target under lights at Gaddafi Stadium
