Pakistan Defeats Sri Lanka in Lahore to Claim Tri-Series Final

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 3 wickets with 9 balls to spare in Lahore on Saturday, chasing down a target of 326 to win the One-Day International tri-series final.

Fakhar Zaman anchored the innings with 127 runs from 99 balls, while Saad Baig contributed 74 runs and Arafat Minhas added an unbeaten half-century to help the hosts reach 331.

The victory secured Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008 and matched India's record for the highest successful run chase in an ODI final.

“We had to score another 30 runs,” said Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, noting that his team missed an opportunity despite a strong batting performance.

Sri Lanka posted 325 for 8 after winning the toss, driven by a maiden ODI century from Kamindu Mendis, who scored 131 runs, and 77 runs from Pavan Rathnayake.

The pair shared a partnership of 146 runs for the third wicket before Pakistan bowlers restricted the scoring in the final overs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each during the late collapse as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 29 runs.

Pakistan faced early trouble in the chase when pace bowler Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam during the powerplay.

Zaman and Baig recovered the innings with a 149-run partnership before Baig was caught by Maheesh Theekshana.

“I’ve played domestic cricket with him as well, and he’s a very talented player,” said Zaman, praising his young teammate's contribution to the partnership.

Minhas and Hasan Nawaz then combined for a 94-run stand to bring the team close to the target.

Minhas was dismissed after scoring 61 runs, leaving Afridi to hit the winning runs in the penultimate over.

The unresolved question remains how Pakistan's inconsistent top-order batting will perform in upcoming international fixtures following this breakthrough tri-series conclusion.