Pakistan win tri-series final as Fakhar Zaman’s century seals three-wicket win over Sri Lanka
file photograph of Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, the venue of the final — not today's match action
LAHORE: Pakistan have won the ODI tri-series final, beating Sri Lanka by three wickets at Gaddafi Stadium to lift the trophy in front of a home crowd. Chasing 326, Pakistan reached 331 for seven in 48.3 overs, finishing the job with nine balls still in hand.
Fakhar’s century turns the match
The chase began like a nightmare. Inside the fourth over, both openers were back in the pavilion with only 14 runs on the board, and the Lahore crowd could be forgiven for fearing a familiar story. Then Fakhar Zaman took charge.
Together with Saad Baig, Fakhar put on 149 for the third wicket, a stand that rewrote the match entirely. Fakhar struck 127 off 99 balls, with 11 fours and six sixes, for his 12th ODI century, before falling in the 34th over — by which time Pakistan were firmly on the road home. Baig contributed 74.
Minhas provides the late fireworks
Even after Fakhar’s dismissal, the finish was anything but comfortable. Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets for 63 and kept the pressure on, but Arafat Minhas broke it open with a blistering 61 off just 31 balls. Hasan Nawaz finished unbeaten on 37 off 45, and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi struck the winning six.
Sri Lanka had earlier posted 325 for eight, built on Kamindu Mendis’s 131 off 128 balls and Pavan Rathnayake’s 77 off 65. Shaheen had won the toss and chosen to field. This is the same Sri Lankan side that bowled Pakistan out for just 110 earlier in the series — the Lahore win settles that score, and gives Pakistan their first ODI tri-series title on home soil.
