Zaman’s Century and Minhas’ Late Blitz Deliver Tri-Series Glory for Pakistan

Lahore: Fakhar Zaman’s 127 trumped Kamindu Mendis’ 131 as Pakistan chased down 326 to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the tri-series final, sealing the trophy with 1.3 overs to spare in front of a home crowd.

Spectacular batting sees Pakistan secure victory in the tri-series final over Sri Lanka 💥

📝: https://t.co/hpiOYpz7O2 https://t.co/7md0rayV20

— ICC (@ICC) October 31, 2026

The contest produced two centuries and a host of supporting acts, but the decisive passage came late, when Pakistan appeared to have let the required rate drift beyond reach.

Sri Lanka Build, Then Stumble

Asked to bat, Sri Lanka made a steady start through Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis. Fernando struck two fours and a six off Naseem Shah in the sixth over, while Kamindu hit a maximum off Shaheen Afridi in the 10th, taking the score to 51 without loss. Kamindu was given out caught behind off Arafat Minhas but successfully overturned the decision on review, a reprieve that proved costly.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure through tight spells, including a maiden from Haris Rauf to Fernando in the 17th over. Salman Agha capitalised in the next, trapping Fernando lbw for 38. Agha then produced a moment of individual brilliance, taking a sharp return catch to dismiss Kusal Mendis and leave Sri Lanka at 109 for 2 in the 22nd over.

Kamindu and Pavan Rathnayake rebuilt with a 146-run third-wicket stand. Kamindu reached his maiden ODI century, while Rathnayake brought up his fourth 50-plus score of the series, taking Sri Lanka past 250 in the 41st over. The partnership ended when Afridi trapped Kamindu lbw, and Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 29 runs as the innings threatened to unravel. Dasun Shanaka’s quickfire 17 off nine balls provided brief impetus, while Sahan Arachchige and Maheesh Theekshana added useful late runs to lift the total to 325 for 8.

Pakistan’s Chase Survives Early Shocks

Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in his first two overs, removing Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam to leave Pakistan wobbling early. Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig responded with a partnership built on contrasting approaches. Zaman dealt in maximums while Baig found regular boundaries, taking Pakistan to 50 for 2 after 10 overs.

Both batters reached their fifties, Baig bringing up his maiden ODI half-century as the pair compiled a 149-run third-wicket stand. The partnership ended when Baig handed a catch back to Theekshana, departing for 74 off 75 balls with 11 fours. Zaman continued untroubled, bringing up his 12th ODI hundred and clearing the fence regularly before Madushanka bowled him for 127 off 99 balls, an innings containing six sixes and 11 fours. When Salman Agha fell to Dunith Wellalage, Pakistan needed 96 from the last 13 overs, a equation that tightened to 82 from 10.

Minhas Turns the Tide

A boundary drought of 10 overs threatened to undo the chase. Arafat Minhas broke the sequence with a four off Shanaka in the 43rd over and another off Asitha Fernando in the 45th. Hasan Nawaz played a supporting role at a slower tempo as the pair brought the requirement to 46 from five overs.

Minhas then took control. Sixes off Shanaka and Madushanka reduced the equation to 18 from 18. He brought up a 28-ball fifty with a six off Fernando, followed by another maximum and a four before his dismissal. Faheem Ashraf fell in the same over, but Pakistan crossed the line when Afridi struck a six off Madushanka in the penultimate over.

Minhas finished with 61 from 31 balls, an innings that transformed a stalling chase into a completed one. For Sri Lanka, Kamindu’s century and Rathnayake’s consistency were not enough to compensate for a late collapse with the bat and an inability to contain Pakistan’s lower order at the death.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 325/8 in 50 overs (Kamindu Mendis 131, Pavan Rathnayake 77; Shaheen Afridi 2-50) lost to Pakistan 331/7 in 48.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 127, Saad Baig 74, Arafat Minhas 61; Dilshan Madushanka 3-63) by three wickets.

                                               

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