Fakhar Zaman Century Leads Pakistan Past Sri Lanka to Clinch ODI Tri-Series Title
Opening batsman Fakhar Zaman overcame physical discomfort from a bruised knee to register a match-winning 127, guiding Pakistan to a three-wicket triumph against Sri Lanka in the one-day international tri-series final in Lahore, according to reporting by NDTV. Chasing an imposing target of 326 at Gaddafi Stadium, the host nation compiled 331 for seven in 48.3 overs, securing the country's first tri-series championship since 2008. Sri Lanka had earlier posted 325 for eight in their allotted 50 overs after being sent in to bat, anchored by a maiden one-day century of 131 from Kamindu Mendis alongside a rapid 77 from middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake. Pakistan pace bowlers stemmed late scoring during the closing overs, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf each collecting two wickets.
Top-Order Recovery and Record Partnership
Pakistan encountered early adversity in the pursuit after losing opening partner Maaz Sadaqat for five and premier batter Babar Azam for a five-ball duck, NDTV reported. Zaman revitalized the innings through a decisive 149-run third-wicket alliance with nineteen-year-old wicketkeeper Saad Baig, who struck 74 from 75 deliveries to record his maiden international half-century. Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana missed multiple opportunities to dismiss Zaman, failing to hold return catches on 69 and 106 while spilling a boundary chance after the opener reached triple figures in 84 balls. The left-hander's 99-ball innings, decorated with eleven boundaries and six sixes, concluded when fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka breached his defence with Pakistan still needing 106 runs.
Pakistan's chase of the 326-run target is the joint-highest successful chase in an ODI final, according to Pakistan Cricket Board.
In 2017, Fakhar Zaman served as Pakistan's hero in the Champions Trophy final before scoring 127 in the tri-series final, according to The Guardian.
Fakhar Zaman became just the second Pakistan batter after Saeed Anwar to score two centuries in ODI finals, according to Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan registered their sixth highest ODI chase and third highest across all ODIs played at Gaddafi Stadium, according to Pakistan Cricket Board.
Decisive Finishing Partnership Under Evening Dew
Following the dismissal of Salman Agha for nine off spinner Dunith Wellalage, the hosts relied on an assertive 94-run partnership between young all-rounders Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz, Times of India reported. Minhas counterattacked under heavy evening dew, striking 61 off 31 deliveries while Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 37 to bring the target within immediate reach. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando injected late tension into the encounter by removing Minhas and Faheem Ashraf from consecutive deliveries during the closing overs. Requiring two runs for victory, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi launched Madushanka over the leg-side boundary for six to seal the contest with nine balls to spare.
Tournament Awards and Captain Reactions
Minhas received player of the series recognition after accumulating 149 runs and claiming nine wickets across the multi-nation tournament, NDTV noted. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis acknowledged that fielding lapses and environmental dew hampered his bowling unit, noting that his squad fell approximately 25 to 30 runs short of a winning total. Afridi praised the resilience of his junior teammates, highlighting the contributions of Baig, Minhas, and Nawaz in navigating high-pressure tournament situations. Both squads will next contest a two-match Test series commencing in Rawalpindi.
Following the tri-series, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will feature in a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, with the first Test held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9 to 13 November and the second Test at Gaddafi Stadium from 17 to 21 November, according to Pakistan Cricket Board.