Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by Three Wickets in Tri-Series Final Thriller

Pakistan secured a dramatic three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the one-day international cricket tri-series final on Saturday, powered by a brilliant century from Fakhar Zaman and a crucial late-game performance from Arafat Minhas.

Match Summary and Run Chase

• Pakistan's winning total: 331-7 in 48.3 overs
• Sri Lanka's first-innings score: 325-8
• Key partnerships: Fakhar Zaman and Saad Baig put up 149 runs for a vital recovery.

Fakhar Zaman overcame a bruised knee and a lean recent scoring spell to post 127 runs off 99 balls. Coming into the final with just 31 runs in his previous four innings, Zaman sustained an injury to his right knee while fielding and spent considerable time in the dressing room before batting.

Chasing a target of 326, Pakistan experienced early setbacks at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in front of 31,265 home fans. Maaz Sadaqat was dismissed for 5, and Babar Azam fell for a duck. However, Zaman revived the innings alongside 19-year-old Saad Baig, who contributed 74 runs off 75 balls.

Sri Lankan bowler Maheesh Theekshana missed crucial opportunities to dismiss Zaman, dropping him on 69, 106, and later near the boundary. Zaman's innings finally concluded in the 34th over when Dilshan Madushanka bowled him, leaving Pakistan needing 106 more runs for victory. Madushanka finished with bowling figures of 3-63.

Sri Lanka's Innings and Late Drama

• Kamindu Mendis: Scored his maiden ODI century with 131 runs.
• Dew factor: Wet ball conditions in Lahore made it difficult for Sri Lankan bowlers to maintain control.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted 325-8, anchored by Kamindu Mendis's 131. As the match entered its closing stages, Arafat Minhas struck a robust 61 off 31 balls, and Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 37. Despite Asitha Fernando capturing the wickets of Minhas and Faheem Ashraf on consecutive deliveries, Pakistan successfully chased the target with 9 balls to spare. England was the third team in the tri-series, eliminated after losing three of its four matches.

Practical Implications and Verification

Fans and analysts can verify the match details, official scorecards, and statistics through official cricket boards and recognized sports news networks covering international cricket fixtures.