Fakhar Zaman’s Century Leads Pakistan to Tri-Series Glory in Lahore
Pakistan produced a thrilling run chase to defeat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the tri-series final in Lahore, overhauling a demanding target of 326 with nine deliveries to spare. Fakhar Zaman’s commanding 127 set the platform, while Saad Baig and Arafat Minhas supplied crucial support as the hosts finished on 331 for 7 in 48.3 overs.
Sri Lanka had looked well placed after Kamindu Mendis struck a maiden ODI century and Pavan Rathnayake scored a fluent 77 to help them post 325 for 8. But Pakistan’s batting depth proved decisive in a high-scoring contest, with Minhas’ explosive late innings turning a tense finish into a memorable home victory.
Sri Lanka Build a Competitive Total
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka began steadily as Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis negotiated Pakistan’s new-ball attack. Fernando then shifted the tempo in the sixth over, striking Naseem Shah for two fours and a six. Mendis added a maximum off Shaheen Afridi as Sri Lanka reached 51 without loss after 10 overs.
Pakistan briefly slowed the scoring with disciplined bowling. Mendis survived a caught-behind decision against Arafat Minhas after successfully reviewing the call, while Haris Rauf bowled a maiden to Fernando in the 17th over. Salman Agha made the breakthrough soon afterwards, trapping Fernando lbw for 38.
Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu and looked to accelerate, launching Rauf for six. Yet Agha struck again with a sharp return catch to remove Kusal, leaving Sri Lanka at 109 for 2 in the 22nd over. That moment gave Pakistan an opening to restrict the innings, but the next partnership changed the shape of the game.
Kamindu Mendis and Rathnayake Take Control
Kamindu and Rathnayake combined for 146 runs for the third wicket, rebuilding patiently before raising the scoring rate. Kamindu moved through the gears to reach his first ODI hundred, while Rathnayake continued an impressive series with another substantial contribution. Their stand carried Sri Lanka beyond 250 in the 41st over and put the visitors on course for a formidable total.
Afridi ended the partnership by trapping Kamindu lbw for 131, an innings that gave Sri Lanka both stability and momentum. Dasun Shanaka added a quick 17 from nine balls, including a six and two fours, but Afridi dismissed him soon after. Rauf removed Rathnayake, and Naseem sent Janith Liyanage back as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 29 runs.
Sahan Arachchige and Maheesh Theekshana helped repair some of the late damage, adding useful runs to lift the total to 325 for 8. Afridi finished with 2 for 50, while Pakistan’s late burst prevented Sri Lanka from pushing even further beyond the 330 mark.
Pakistan Recover After Early Wickets
Pakistan’s chase began poorly. Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in his opening two overs, dismissing Maaz Sadaqat and then Babar Azam to leave the hosts under early pressure. Zaman and Saad Baig responded with composure, balancing calculated aggression with regular scoring to keep the required rate manageable.
Baig found boundaries consistently, while Zaman attacked when the opportunity arose. The pair guided Pakistan to 50 for 2 after 10 overs and then built a match-shaping partnership. Baig reached his maiden ODI half-century, and Zaman passed fifty as their stand crossed 100. Pakistan moved beyond 150 in the 26th over, steadily bringing the target within reach.
The partnership finally ended at 149 when Baig returned a catch to Theekshana. His 74 came from 75 deliveries and included 11 fours, giving Pakistan a strong foundation. Zaman continued to dominate, reaching his 12th ODI century and repeatedly clearing the boundary. His 99-ball innings featured 11 fours and six sixes before Madushanka bowled him.
Arafat Minhas Delivers Under Pressure
Salman Agha was bowled by Dunith Wellalage soon afterwards, leaving Pakistan needing 96 from the final 13 overs. The equation tightened further as the hosts went through a boundary-free spell of around 10 overs. With the required rate climbing, Hasan Nawaz focused on staying at the crease while Minhas looked for opportunities to attack.
Minhas broke the drought with a four off Shanaka in the 43rd over and found another boundary against Asitha Fernando two overs later. The pair brought the target down to 46 from the last five overs, giving Pakistan a realistic chance despite the pressure. Minhas then struck sixes off Shanaka and Madushanka, reducing the requirement to 18 from 18 balls.
The young all-rounder reached a rapid 50 from 28 deliveries with a six off Fernando, then added another maximum and a four before falling. Faheem Ashraf was dismissed in the same over, leaving the finish finely balanced. Shaheen Afridi settled the contest by hitting Madushanka for six in the penultimate over, completing Pakistan’s three-wicket win with 1.3 overs remaining.
What the Final Means for Both Teams
The final showcased the value of a deep batting lineup in modern one-day cricket. Pakistan lost two early wickets and later saw Zaman depart with the chase still unfinished, but Baig’s partnership and Minhas’ fearless finishing ensured the innings did not unravel. Zaman’s century was the standout performance, while Minhas’ 61 from 31 balls supplied the acceleration Pakistan needed at the decisive stage.
For Sri Lanka, Kamindu’s 131 and Rathnayake’s 77 demonstrated the strength of their middle order, though the late cluster of wickets may be a point of concern. Madushanka’s three wickets gave his side hope, but Pakistan’s partnerships and late hitting ultimately outweighed Sri Lanka’s strong first-innings total.
For fans considering a cricket prediction in similar high-scoring matches, this final offered a reminder that a large target does not guarantee control. Partnerships, wickets in hand and the ability to score under pressure can matter as much as the total itself. Pakistan managed those moments better in Lahore—and the reward was the tri-series trophy.
Match Summary
Sri Lanka: 325/8 in 50 overs — Kamindu Mendis 131, Pavan Rathnayake 77; Shaheen Afridi 2/50.
Pakistan: 331/7 in 48.3 overs — Fakhar Zaman 127, Saad Baig 74, Arafat Minhas 61; Dilshan Madushanka 3/63.
Result: Pakistan won by three wickets and claimed the tri-series title.
