Minhas’ match-turning 61, Fakhar 127 take Pakistan to tri-series title

Minhas’ match-turning 61, Fakhar 127 take Pakistan to tri-series title Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326 The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 7 Arafat Minhas saw Pakistan speed to a target of 326 with nine balls and three wickets remaining in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka to clinch the trophy.

Along the way, there had also been Saad Baig ‘s 74 off 75 deliveries adding serious heft to Pakistan’s innings, as he and Fakhar raised Pakistan up from 14 for 2 with a 149-run third-wicket stand. Fittingly, ctain Shaheen Afridi thumped the winning runs, hitting Dilshan Madushanka over the deep-midwicket boundary for six. Earlier, it had been Afridi who took the vital wicket of Sri Lanka’s centurion Kamindu Mendis to set in motion a chain of wickets that saw Sri Lanka stutter in the last nine overs of their batting innings, stumbling to to 325 for 8, when, at the end of 41 overs, they had been 255 for 2, and headed for a total close to 350.

Where Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s top orders largely canceled each other out, Kamindu and Pavan Rathnayake’s third-wicket partnership of 146 runs from 119 balls was very similar to stand between Fakhar and Baig. Instead, it was contributions from Pakistan’s lower-order batters that saw them overcome Sri Lanka. Where Sri Lanka’s batting withered after Kamindu’s dismissal, losing five wickets for 28 runs, Minhas and Hasan Nawaz clobbered 94 off 65 deliveries for the sixth wicket to essentially seal victory for Pakistan.

On another track suited to batting, Pakistan’s quicks also shone collectively in the final nine overs of Sri Lanka’s innings. Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah took two wickets each, as Afridi collected excellent figures of 2 for 50 from his ten overs. Arafat Minhas turned it around with his cameo, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Pakistan did have a significant advantage in bowling and fielding first, however.

Significant dew settled on the Lahore outfield late in the evening, hampering Sri Lanka’s bowling and fielding. That Fakhar was dropped on 69 in the 25th over by Maheesh Theekshana – it was a tough chance – did not help, but there were also many ground fielding errors which seemed to compound as Pakistan got closer to the target, and the dew became more pronounced. Fakhar lived dangerously but paced his innings of 127 off 99 balls beautifully, and forged the kinds of brisk, substantial partnerships that big chases thrive on.

His first boundary was a six that touched the fingertips of Madushanka at deep third, as the latter couldn’t quite haul it in. The dropped catch to Theekshana in the 25th over was another difficult chance. Later, in the 32nd over, Theekshana got another hand to a potential catch from Fakhar but had to trod on the boundary and would have struggled to get a hand on it if he hadn’t.

But in any case, Fakhar had done just enough to avoid giving more straightforward catches to Sri Lanka’s fielders. And in between, he struck brutal boundaries. Fakhar was productive on the leg side as usual, with 72 of his 127 runs coming in that direction.

The arc between fine leg and midwicket proved particularly fruitful for him. He swept beautifully, pulled with conviction, and though he was occasionally forced to attack the frontline quicks, he also dominated the spinners and less-accomplished seamers with special ferocity. Sri Lanka had been in control when Fakhar and Baig came together in the fourth over.

Madushanka had struck twice with the new ball, having both Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam caught at slip. Baig, Fakhar’s partner through the massive recovery stand, was also strong square of the wicket, the pitch providing true bounce that the Sri Lanka batters had also trusted earlier in the day. Kamindu Mendis celebrates his maiden ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Fakhar took 52 balls to get to his fifty, perhs because early wickets had fallen.

But he climbed into a high gear soon after. He got to his 12th ODI hundred off the 84th ball he faced, and had struck 75 off his last 40 deliveries. Fakhar was dismissed in the 34th over by Madushanka, who, having dismissed each of the Pakistan top three, eventually finished with figures of 3 for 63 from 9.3 overs – the best figures in the game.

Pakistan still needed 106 runs at the point of Fakhar’s dismissal, but the pace at which he had scored those runs meant Pakistan’s required rate was less than 6.5 runs an over for the last 16.5 overs. In fact, Pakistan endured a nine-over stretch between overs 33 and 42 in which they did not found the boundary. And yet with batting to come, they were still ahead in the match.

Minhas’ innings was laudably pragmatic. He bided his time and came to grips with conditions in the first 14 balls he faced, hitting no boundaries. Then, after the 42nd over, and after the heavy dew had set in, he exploded.

Minhas reed 48 runs off the last 17 balls he faced, hitting four sixes and three fours all up. The most spectacular of his sixes was a check-driven hit over long-on off Madushanka in the 47th over. At the start of the next over, Pakistan needed 18 off 18 balls.

Minhas then struck two sixes and a four off Asitha Fernando to get Pakistan to within two runs of victory before top-edging a slower ball which Asitha himself chased down. With so many balls remaining, however, there was little doubt who would win by that stage. Pavan Rathnayake continued his good form, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Earlier, Sri Lanka scorched their way to 255 in 41 overs, propelled by Kamindu’s maiden ODI hundred and another sparkling innings from Rathnayake, who hit 77 from 65 balls.

Both were brutal on errors of length on a true pitch, with Rathnayake showcasing a powerful sweep again, in addition to his ravishing pull. Kamindu, meanwhile, unleashed virtually the full array of his strokes on his first trip to triple figures in white-ball cricket. He had been largely unhurried in the early overs, though there was an excellent reverse sweep off Minhas in the seventh over.

But having been 18 off 29 balls at the end of the ninth over, he accelerated through the middle overs. That hpened first in the company of Avishka Fernando, with whom Kamindu put on 87 off 104 deliveries at the top of the innings, before Rathnayake joined Kamindu in the 22nd over for their big stand. But Pakistan’s quicks rallied in the last nine overs, and Sri Lanka’s middle order collsed, as the tailenders had to play out the last 11 balls.

After Afridi had got Kamindu lbw when the batter missed a sweep, and Dasun Shanaka was caught at long-on off Afridi in the 44th over, Sri Lanka’s final push was already struggling for momentum. Then, next over, Rathnayake was caught on the straight boundary off Rauf. That was the first time in four innings that Rathnayake was out for less than 100.

He finished as the top run-scorer in the series by a distance, with 427 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 122.70. Naseem and Rauf made further strikes to shackle Sri Lanka at the death, producing perhs the most consequential passage of play in the match – Sri Lanka’s stilted finish. Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326 Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 This time Pakistan might have the breakthrough!

Avishka goes for the sweep and misses as he’s struck on the front leg. Finger goes up and there’s a brief chat with his partner before reviewing . It is not a good one though, three reds confirms the bad news.

Avishka falls for 38 Salman Agha dismissed Avishka Fernando for 38, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Big peal and given! Shaheen gets the breakthrough! Kamindu reviews straight away though.

This was a yorker from over the wicket, that Kamindu has looked to scoop leg side. Definitely hits him flush on the front boot. Was there bat though?

No there wasn’t. Umpire’s call though on the wickets hitting, so the review is retained. End of a fantastic knock from Kamindu!

Shaheen Shah Afridi congratulates Kamindu Mendis after dismissing him for 131, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Kamindu Mendis celebrates his maiden ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 This is the sort of brilliance that can turn a final! Kusal shuffles out and absolutely hammers this back at Agha, who has reacted with incredible reflexes to hold on to this over his head with both hands. That was coming at him with interest!

Sri Lanka have lost their skipper, and one of the best in the business through the middle overs. How will they respond? Pakistan are pulling things back!

Short of a length and Pavan looks to flat bat this down the ground, but Haris makes good ground to his left from wide long-on and holds on well. This was not timed well from Pavan No big deal as Haris Rauf snares the in form Pavan Rathnayake, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Shanaka holes out! This was a low full toss, and Shanaka looks to go down the ground.

This though is off the bottom of the bat and ends up with a easy catch for long-on running in. This could be the difference between a score below 350 and in excess. Finds the man at deep cover!

And it’s the big wicket of Liyanage! This was a low full toss around off, he made room and just carved this hard and flat. But it’s straight down at Sadaqat who makes no mistake.

Sri Lanka’s innings falling art here at the death. Momentum swinging Pakistan’s way. Oh dear, oh dear.

That is poor from Arachchige, and now even 320 looks out of reach! Short and slow, as Arachchige just ramps this innocuously to short third. That’s the last recognised batter gone for Sri Lanka, as their innings limps to a close.

Pakistan think so, and they duly review . This was short ball, that Wellalage was unable to cut away from over the stumps. Big sound as it passes the bat, and indeed it’s a thick edge.

The review is a good one and Sri Lanka lose their seventh. We’re now into the tail Shaheen Shah Afridi congratulates Kamindu Mendis after dismissing him for 131, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Big peal and given! Shaheen gets the breakthrough!

Kamindu reviews straight away though. This was a yorker from over the wicket, that Kamindu has looked to scoop leg side. Definitely hits him flush on the front boot.

Was there bat though? No there wasn’t. Umpire’s call though on the wickets hitting, so the review is retained.

End of a fantastic knock from Kamindu! Shanaka holes out! This was a low full toss, and Shanaka looks to go down the ground.

This though is off the bottom of the bat and ends up with a easy catch for long-on running in. This could be the difference between a score below 350 and in excess. Finds the man at deep cover!

And it’s the big wicket of Liyanage! This was a low full toss around off, he made room and just carved this hard and flat. But it’s straight down at Sadaqat who makes no mistake.

Sri Lanka’s innings falling art here at the death. Momentum swinging Pakistan’s way. Oh dear, oh dear.

That is poor from Arachchige, and now even 320 looks out of reach! Short and slow, as Arachchige just ramps this innocuously to short third. That’s the last recognised batter gone for Sri Lanka, as their innings limps to a close.

Salman Agha dismissed Avishka Fernando for 38, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 This time Pakistan might have the breakthrough! Avishka goes for the sweep and misses as he’s struck on the front leg. Finger goes up and there’s a brief chat with his partner before reviewing .

It is not a good one though, three reds confirms the bad news. Avishka falls for 38 This is the sort of brilliance that can turn a final! Kusal shuffles out and absolutely hammers this back at Agha, who has reacted with incredible reflexes to hold on to this over his head with both hands.

That was coming at him with interest! Sri Lanka have lost their skipper, and one of the best in the business through the middle overs. How will they respond?

No big deal as Haris Rauf snares the in form Pavan Rathnayake, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Pakistan are pulling things back! Short of a length and Pavan looks to flat bat this down the ground, but Haris makes good ground to his left from wide long-on and holds on well. This was not timed well from Pavan Edged?

Pakistan think so, and they duly review . This was short ball, that Wellalage was unable to cut away from over the stumps. Big sound as it passes the bat, and indeed it’s a thick edge.

The review is a good one and Sri Lanka lose their seventh. We’re now into the tail Kamindu Mendis celebrates his maiden ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 This time Pakistan might have the breakthrough! Avishka goes for the sweep and misses as he’s struck on the front leg.

Finger goes up and there’s a brief chat with his partner before reviewing . It is not a good one though, three reds confirms the bad news. Avishka falls for 38 Salman Agha dismissed Avishka Fernando for 38, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 This is the sort of brilliance that can turn a final!

Kusal shuffles out and absolutely hammers this back at Agha, who has reacted with incredible reflexes to hold on to this over his head with both hands. That was coming at him with interest! Sri Lanka have lost their skipper, and one of the best in the business through the middle overs.

How will they respond? Big peal and given! Shaheen gets the breakthrough!

Kamindu reviews straight away though. This was a yorker from over the wicket, that Kamindu has looked to scoop leg side. Definitely hits him flush on the front boot.

Was there bat though? No there wasn’t. Umpire’s call though on the wickets hitting, so the review is retained.

End of a fantastic knock from Kamindu! Shaheen Shah Afridi congratulates Kamindu Mendis after dismissing him for 131, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Kamindu Mendis celebrates his maiden ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Shanaka holes out! This was a low full toss, and Shanaka looks to go down the ground.

This though is off the bottom of the bat and ends up with a easy catch for long-on running in. This could be the difference between a score below 350 and in excess. Pakistan are pulling things back!

Short of a length and Pavan looks to flat bat this down the ground, but Haris makes good ground to his left from wide long-on and holds on well. This was not timed well from Pavan No big deal as Haris Rauf snares the in form Pavan Rathnayake, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Finds the man at deep cover! And it’s the big wicket of Liyanage!

This was a low full toss around off, he made room and just carved this hard and flat. But it’s straight down at Sadaqat who makes no mistake. Sri Lanka’s innings falling art here at the death.

Momentum swinging Pakistan’s way. Pakistan think so, and they duly review . This was short ball, that Wellalage was unable to cut away from over the stumps.

Big sound as it passes the bat, and indeed it’s a thick edge. The review is a good one and Sri Lanka lose their seventh. We’re now into the tail Oh dear, oh dear.

That is poor from Arachchige, and now even 320 looks out of reach! Short and slow, as Arachchige just ramps this innocuously to short third. That’s the last recognised batter gone for Sri Lanka, as their innings limps to a close.

That tailed in as Fakhar charged down. It rattles his stumps as he misses a slog down the ground. He walks off acknowledging the plause from a packed stadium.

It has been one brilliant innings. Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Reckless! Advances down the pitch to drill this down the ground but he was nowhere near the pitch of the ball.

Madushanka pitches it outside off and swings it away and the ball takes a thick edge of his bat and the first slip takes it superbly over his head with a jump. Dilshan Madushanka got two early wickets, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Has he caught it?! Wonderful stuff.

This is some excellent ctaincy from Mendis. Places a solitary fielder at fourth slip for Babar and Madushanka floats this one up for Babar to drive. He accepts the invitation and the ball flies to the fielder who takes it on almost fourth attempt, diving forward, after juggling the ball.

The entire Sri Lanka must have had their hearts in mouth for a split second there. Lahore goes quiet! Chipped back to Theekshana!

Fired full and in stumps and Saad check-drives it back to the bowler who gobbles it. An excellent innings comes to an end. Do we have a twist in this game?!

Bowls it with the arm from wide of the crease as Agha looks to slog sweep this one out of the park but the ball slides under his bat and smashes into the off stump. Bangs the cutter in the pitch and Arafat top-edges a pull while backing away. It balloons high up in the air and Asitha takes the catch himself.

The Gaddafi Stadiums rises as Arafat walks back and he has his bat up to acknowledge and the deafening plause. He may not have finished the match for Pakistan, but he has put them on the verge of victory which seemed uncertain when he walked in. Another one for Asitha!

Cutter, banged in the pitch, and Faheem helps it down to deep third man’s throat. Surely, not another twist. The victorious Pakistan squad members celebrate, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Shaheen Shah Afridi strikes a pose with the tri-series trophy, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Bangs the cutter in the pitch and Arafat top-edges a pull while backing away.

It balloons high up in the air and Asitha takes the catch himself. The Gaddafi Stadiums rises as Arafat walks back and he has his bat up to acknowledge and the deafening plause. He may not have finished the match for Pakistan, but he has put them on the verge of victory which seemed uncertain when he walked in.

Another one for Asitha! Cutter, banged in the pitch, and Faheem helps it down to deep third man’s throat. Surely, not another twist.

Dilshan Madushanka got two early wickets, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 The victorious Pakistan squad members celebrate, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Shaheen Shah Afridi strikes a pose with the tri-series trophy, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Reckless! Advances down the pitch to drill this down the ground but he was nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Madushanka pitches it outside off and swings it away and the ball takes a thick edge of his bat and the first slip takes it superbly over his head with a jump.

Has he caught it?! Wonderful stuff. This is some excellent ctaincy from Mendis.

Places a solitary fielder at fourth slip for Babar and Madushanka floats this one up for Babar to drive. He accepts the invitation and the ball flies to the fielder who takes it on almost fourth attempt, diving forward, after juggling the ball. The entire Sri Lanka must have had their hearts in mouth for a split second there.

Lahore goes quiet! That tailed in as Fakhar charged down. It rattles his stumps as he misses a slog down the ground.

He walks off acknowledging the plause from a packed stadium. It has been one brilliant innings. Chipped back to Theekshana!

Fired full and in stumps and Saad check-drives it back to the bowler who gobbles it. An excellent innings comes to an end. Do we have a twist in this game?!

Bowls it with the arm from wide of the crease as Agha looks to slog sweep this one out of the park but the ball slides under his bat and smashes into the off stump. Advances down the pitch to drill this down the ground but he was nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Madushanka pitches it outside off and swings it away and the ball takes a thick edge of his bat and the first slip takes it superbly over his head with a jump.

Dilshan Madushanka got two early wickets, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Has he caught it?! Wonderful stuff. This is some excellent ctaincy from Mendis.

Places a solitary fielder at fourth slip for Babar and Madushanka floats this one up for Babar to drive. He accepts the invitation and the ball flies to the fielder who takes it on almost fourth attempt, diving forward, after juggling the ball. The entire Sri Lanka must have had their hearts in mouth for a split second there.

Lahore goes quiet! Chipped back to Theekshana! Fired full and in stumps and Saad check-drives it back to the bowler who gobbles it.

An excellent innings comes to an end. That tailed in as Fakhar charged down. It rattles his stumps as he misses a slog down the ground.

He walks off acknowledging the plause from a packed stadium. It has been one brilliant innings. Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Oh my!

Do we have a twist in this game?! Bowls it with the arm from wide of the crease as Agha looks to slog sweep this one out of the park but the ball slides under his bat and smashes into the off stump. Bangs the cutter in the pitch and Arafat top-edges a pull while backing away.

It balloons high up in the air and Asitha takes the catch himself. The Gaddafi Stadiums rises as Arafat walks back and he has his bat up to acknowledge and the deafening plause. He may not have finished the match for Pakistan, but he has put them on the verge of victory which seemed uncertain when he walked in.

Another one for Asitha! Cutter, banged in the pitch, and Faheem helps it down to deep third man’s throat. Surely, not another twist.

Fakhar Zaman shone in another ODI chase, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Fakhar Zaman kept the chase going with a quick knock, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326 Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Kusal Mendis plays a shot as Haris Rauf takes a tumble, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI Tri-Series, Lahore, October 27, 2026 Both teams put one past each other earlier in the tri-series, but how they handle the pressure of a final remains to be seen Babar Azam and Pavan Rathnayake share a light moment after the game, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI Tri-Series, Lahore, October 27, 2026 Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326 Fakhar Zaman brought up his 12th ODI century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI tri-series final, Lahore, October 31, 2026 Both teams put one past each other earlier in the tri-series, but how they handle the pressure of a final remains to be seen Babar Azam and Pavan Rathnayake share a light moment after the game, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, ODI Tri-Series, Lahore, October 27, 2026 ODI Tri-Series (PAK) 2026/27, PAK vs SL Final Match Report, October 31, 2026 – Minhas’ match-turning 61, Fakhar 127 take Pakistan to tri-series title ODI Tri-Series (PAK) 2026/27, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Match Report: Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326 Fakhar and Baig’s 149-run stand rescued Pakistan from 14 for 2 after Kamindu Mendis’ 131 set them 326